However, there was no longer any point in hiding it, so I decided to speak.
“The brain enhancement, what Vim calls [Puppeteer]—”
This was something I had never told anyone, not even Vim himself.
“—It likely has side effects.”
Both Camilla and Abel fell silent at my unexpected revelation.
“[Puppeteer] excessively strains the brain. Vim only recognized it as something that would cause damage if it failed, but even if it didn’t, forcing such a delicate organ to function unnaturally would likely have some side effects.”
I had noticed for quite some time that Vim was acting strange.
“The current symptoms I am aware of include memory loss, changes in taste, and a general dulling of senses. His personality might also have undergone some changes.”
At first, I thought it was because he wasn’t used to the new environment, or maybe he was simply forgetting things from the past, or perhaps it was just changes due to growing up.
But it became clear that these explanations weren’t enough—Vim had significant gaps in his memory.
“He seems to have lost a considerable amount of memory. He likely forgets things he hasn’t recalled for a long time or things he subconsciously deems unimportant.”
In Vim’s room, there was a notebook with sketches of all the members of the [Night Dragonflies], along with their names.
That was abnormal.
It would be understandable if it contained the names and faces of people he wasn’t closely associated with, but there was no reason to write down the names and faces of everyone, including Camila and Abel.
“It seems like his senses that are not directly related to combat have dulled or changed. Currently, his taste and pain perception have dulled. Vim used to be quite picky about food, but recently he has been able to eat spicy and strong-flavored foods without showing signs of tasting them. Tests would likely confirm this.”
Camila and Abel listened quietly to my story.
They were still processing what I was saying.
It must have seemed sudden to them.
But it would be hard for people like them to understand Vim’s nature, so maybe it was easier to accept if they recognized the abnormality. It’s different from thinking he’s just like us but with side effects.
“Heidemarie, are you sure about this?”
Camila asked.
“Yes. Thinking back, the signs appeared right after he supposedly used the [Puppeteer] to defeat the Great Crocodile. As evidence, we found a notebook detailing the faces and names of all the members, along with detailed conversations. It seems he forgot about the notebook’s existence after returning from the 99th floor.”
Vim had forgotten almost all common stories and tales that everyone knows or rarely thinks about.
He used to be such a bookish child.
“You’re saying Vim barely remembers us anymore,
and trying to hold him back with bonds is pointless?”
“Yes. Even if he remembers, it’s likely the bad memories that are more vivid.”
It’s often said that humans remember bad memories more clearly.
And besides that, there was a suspicion that the brightness of the [Night Dragonflies] seemed distant and impersonal to Vim. So even if he remembered, it was hard to imagine he felt any longing for the group.
If he forgot the joy he found amidst the suffocating memories, there’s no way he would want to stay in this mansion.
“Is he aware of this?”
“Probably not fully. He seems to vaguely sense that something is wrong with him.”
It must be hard for him to be aware of this side effect.
After all, the things he forgets are not important to him.
On the other hand, the things he needs to remember, the things his subconscious deems necessary, will remain, so he doesn’t fundamentally feel there’s a problem.
Of course, his subconscious desires and our wishes are unlikely to align.
He might even abandon his own desires.
“So, Abel, it’s hard to say, but Vim doesn’t remember you.”
Even as I said that, Abel didn’t respond.
He seemed to be contemplating. He looked like he was gritting his teeth. But he didn’t immediately deny it.
He must have some idea.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Perhaps it was the incident at the café where they fought the Long-Ear tribe. Vim treated Abel almost like a stranger.
The light in the office flickered and buzzed.
We all needed a moment of silence.
I felt a bit guilty for feeling relieved. I had finally shared what I had been holding in.
Perhaps it was a good opportunity. It was bound to come out eventually.
“…So Vim was hearing the call of the labyrinth in that state.”
Camila murmured.
“Heidemarie, why didn’t you stop him? Even a guess would have been enough. If you had told us earlier, we could’ve—”
Abel reproached me. It was only natural.
Even I wasn’t confident in my actions.
“Stop it, Abel.”
Camila intervened.
“But—”
“Look at her face.”
It wasn’t something I could clearly explain. Maybe I was being irresponsible.
“It’s fine, Abel. For Vim, it’s not a big deal. There’s no need to force him to remember.”
There might be things he wants to forget.
Abel turned towards me, speechless. Then he turned away and stepped towards the door.
“I’m going to tell him. He needs to know.”
“Wait.”
Camila stopped him again.
“Leader! But if we don’t act quickly—”
“Calm down. Wait. If Heidemarie is telling us this now, then it’s already too late.”
Indeed, Camila’s insight was a relief.
Vim was probably already in the labyrinth.
“What do you mean, Heidemarie? Tell us.”
Camila asked again.
Of course, she would ask.
“Was it a bother, bringing someone like him?”
I tried to joke.
“Not at all. I wouldn’t complain after having my life saved. It was a wise move. Though it’s frustrating to have been led around.”
Camila smiled gently, conceding.
The [Night Dragonflies] were such a warm and accepting party. If things had been a bit different, we would have continued adventuring together for a long time.
If it didn’t work out with the [Night Dragonflies], it was understandable. Both I and Vim could accept that. After all our struggles, this conclusion wasn’t a bad one.
“If I told him about his memory, Vim would probably stop fighting.”
Because, after all, he seemed so happy.
I glanced out the window towards the labyrinth.
How far had Vim gone by now?
There’s no need to rush. He can fight whatever catches his eye, move however he wants.
“I don’t want that.”
Go, Vim. Whatever form it takes, you’ve found a place you want to be. You’ve found a place you want to escape to.
If you want to run away, then go ahead.
If you can abandon it, then let it go.
No one can catch up to you now.
You can finally live as you please.
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Yeah, it’s a sad revelation, but on storytelling level it’s great. Great power doesn’t fall to protagonist hands without a price, Vim is forced to change by both, internal and external, factors, main story theme of not having a place to belong continues, Vim’s questionable decisions in the past and future are justified. Everything simply fits into it’s place.