These Demons Do it for Free

The contract negotiations were finished, but I lingered at Enigma for a while longer.

Surprisingly, I hit it off rather well with Ms. Book, if I could call her that.

Ms. Book, it turned out, was also a training academy graduate. Between talking about that and discussing the Abyss, there was never a dull moment in our conversation. And honestly, she did most of the talking—probably around 70-80% of it.

Once she started speaking, it was like a floodgate had opened, yet it wasn’t boring in the slightest. Perhaps it was because she had a knack for visual aids; when I couldn’t grasp something she said, she’d draw images on her pages or even morph into a pop-up book with intricate three-dimensional movements.

The wealth of useful information she provided kept me attentive, which only encouraged her enthusiasm. It became clear that she was lonely—a realization that left me feeling a bit sorry for her.

"Ah~ That was fun. It’s been a while."
"I enjoyed it as well."
"Come to think of it, I never told you my name, did I?"

What a speedy revelation. Then again, I hadn’t properly introduced myself either, so I guess we’re even.

"I’m Roman Sen, as you already know."
"Yeah, I know. But I’m Alice—eternally 17 and a shy, literary girl."
"Neither of those statements seem true."
"They’re both true!"@@novelbin@@

Sure they are.

Conscience? Where art thou?