Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

With insufficient troops, no one was able to deal with the seventh dragon-transformed immortal spirit—[Nighogd]—which successfully gnawed at the roots of the world, causing order to collapse.

Belle finished telling her story and looked at the Charles:

"That's right! If we just tell Lady Hermes or Lady Astrea about the 'Artificial Labyrinth' and the 'Fallen Fairy'... this world won't face that despair anymore."

“You’re really too gentle, Bell.” Ciel stretched and glared at him sideways. “But perhaps it is this very gentleness that is leading this world to its demise.”

"Huh?" Belle pointed at herself, confused. "Isn't this wrong?"

Xia Er crossed his arms: "Bubu, you're so wrong."

Charles's voice was firm and resolute: "You only know about the Fallen Fairy and Nighad, but do you know the identity of the mastermind behind it all?"

“Uh, Ernie City Destroyer?” Belle scratched her head.

"Who is he? Male or female? What is his identity?" Charles pressed urgently, giving Belle no time to react: "Also, those are all avatars of the Fallen Fairy. Do you know where her true form is?"

"Uh...the real body?"

"Look at you, you know nothing."

Belle: "...

Unlike the Bell in the main series, where Loki's Familia would naturally share some intelligence with his comrades after a victory, Bell, as a temporary worker, would probably know nothing about such things if the battle failed.

Ciel: "If Finn obtains information about the underground labyrinth and conquers the man-made labyrinth now, what will become of the fallen fairies who should have extended their tentacles?"

It won't just disappear into thin air, will it? Those celestial spirit clones will appear from other places we don't know about.

“Ah…” Belle’s eyes turned into little beans, and she buried her head in her knees as she was being scolded: “Guomei.”

Charles recalled the whole story. Throughout the entire process of conquering the dungeon, Bell had hardly participated anymore. He didn't even know anything about the Fallen Fairy. It was only at the last moment that he was forcibly conscripted.

"So... instead of worrying about the future of the world, you should solve your own problems first."

“My… problem?” Belle was confused once again.

Charles sighed, rubbing his forehead: "Isn't your world just like a candle flickering in the wind? Yet you still have the mind to care about others? To you, what we are right now is nothing but delusion and illusion. When you wake up, you will still have to face the destroyed city and the rampaging monsters all over the world."

He spoke like a teacher, persuading me step by step:

"Instead of using this opportunity to become stronger, you're thinking about changing our tragic future?"

Belle opened her mouth: "But didn't you say that anything I do will cause the world to change?"

Charles said irritably, "Whether it's good or bad, how will you know if you don't try? For you, whether it's the future or the past, you're standing here now. It's your freedom to decide what to do."

"Don't worry, if the apocalypse occurs, our 'Bishop' will let us know, and we'll figure something out then."

"As for what the future holds, whether it will cause those who should have survived to die, or shatter the bonds that should have existed in others, these are questions you should worry about after you have seen what this era is truly like."

“I understand. I will think about it carefully.” Belle murmured, “Hey, Mr. Charles, if the future were peaceful, and you could go back in time, what would you choose?”

Charles took a deep breath: "Of course, I'll become stronger! Strong enough that no one/god can control my destiny, and the world will be the way I want it to be."

Belle asked, confused, "I... I understand! But what do I do?"

Xia Er smiled brightly: "You're asking for my opinion? Then go find her! There should be someone you want to see again, more than your companions. As a ruler, she should be able to offer you more help."

Belle suddenly realized: "That's right."

"Heh..." Charles licked his lips, looking down at Belle's forehead: "After all I've said, can you answer one question for me?"

"Excuse me, may I ask?" Belle was sitting up.

Ciel's cat-like eyes narrowed: "In your world, are there any humans named Ciel?"

"Eh?"

Chapter 81 Let Me Ride It

"Mr. Charles?"

"Ah, this appearance is just a magical effect. I'm just an ordinary human adventurer," Charles said.

"Is that so? Hehe, after teaching me for so long, I thought Mr. Charles was a learned fairy."

Belle had no doubts; perhaps because of Lily, she considered Charles a companion as well. Or perhaps this naive and impulsive young man was completely unaware of the fact that there were bad people in the city.

"However, I have never heard of Mr. Charles's reputation."

Charles said indifferently, "They probably died in some upheaval. It doesn't matter, your world is an illusion to me too."

"Speaking of which, is Mr. Charles the leader here?"

With Charles's reassurance, Belle calmed down and adapted to her situation. She posed a question: "Then, had the world already changed because of Mr. Charles's actions before I arrived?"

Oh. You actually have a brain. This guy isn't as easily fooled as Chanis.

Ciel hesitated for a moment, then his cat face loomed larger before Belle: "No, it's precisely because the 'Bishop' saw that your appearance would bring about the end that he brought us together. This is the choice of Steins;Gate!"

Belle blinked. "Is that so?"

Charles said seriously, "Of course, we're teammates now, sharing the mission of 'saving the world.' What are you doubting?"

Lily: So we have such a noble mission?

Anya: Even though I don't understand it, it's so cool!

Marie: Orange~

Belle looked around at her companions. She recalled that before she was conscripted, Miss Cassandra seemed to have come to her and begged her to run away, while also talking a lot of strange nonsense in her sleep.

Charles emphasized, "You know Cassandra's abilities. I've never believed in her prophecies, but I do believe she wouldn't harm me."

Cassandra hugged Marie tightly: Really? I'm so touched... If you don't sell me to a brothel... Waaah.

"Absolute trust?" This question touched Belle.

She smiled: "So I'm a member of the 'organization' now?"

"Of course, saving your world is also one of our organization's missions!"

“Based on your special circumstances, I have temporarily appointed you as the interim leader.” Charles stroked his cat whiskers. “Oh, right, I still don’t know your name, but never mind, since there is another you in this world, let’s give you one now.”

Charles pretended to ponder, "Al, what do you think?"

“Argo…Argo’s Wish…Okay, this will do.” Belle gave her a grateful look; she really had no idea how to name someone.

"As for the codename, how about Jester?"

"A joyful clown?"

"Yes, like a fleeting performer, bringing smiles to the audience. And comparable to Argo, not bad, little hero."

"Thank you."

After a pause, Bell realized what was happening and exclaimed:

"Eh? The leader? This... how can this be?!"

Charles said nonchalantly, "Anyway, I'll be in this state for now. Your strength is also quite high, and the organization is currently prioritizing the 'Great Salvation of the Al World' plan. These reasons are all reasonable."

"But……"

“Alright.” Charles explained seriously, “Your existence is very special; you are an outsider to us. After you wake up from your dream, I think most people will lose all impression of you. Therefore, every time you do something big, the instigator will be forgotten, and the world’s correction will create an extremely terrible sense of loss.”

"Therefore, a stand-in who can bear your identity and continue to be active afterward is your best protection. If I take the blame for you, you can do whatever you want now."

Belle understood: "Mr. Charles, do you intend to continue using my identity after I leave?"

Charles chuckled, "Jesters only participate in activities related to 'world destruction.' And, I forgot to tell you, my codename is 'Joker.' Isn't it natural that I have one red and one gray Joker?"

Belle: "So, Captain, what do we do next?"

Ciel smiled and said, "Let me ride you."

"what?"

……

After instructing Anya to watch the house, Charles possessed Belle and left the stronghold. He walked straight along West Street and soon arrived near the guild's shelter, the "Abundant Mistress".

She also saw for the first time what the dark period of seven years ago was really like.

Passing through the military police checkpoint, the streets were lined with countless makeshift sheds. The residents, their faces blackened and looking dejected and gloomy, were either kneeling or sitting, weeping or remaining calm.

Perhaps because it is located in the old city area, most of the people here are ordinary people.

Some people were shirtless, holding a child's head tightly and refusing to let go; others were wailing and clinging to legs, waiting for a therapist to help them.

Even those who were physically healthy were numb; their homes had been destroyed, and all their possessions had vanished. Upon hearing that the workshop district had also been attacked, these people were utterly devastated.

They had nothing, and if they wanted to survive, their only options were to rob or steal; they had no other choice.

"Darkness will give rise to new darkness. Just like in the game of Go, Orario is now like a large white group being besieged."

"Why would they do this?" Belle felt confused for the first time.

"Perhaps, this is what God is? Humans are just insects that return to the sky, wash them, throw them down, and they become brand new and fun toys."

Belle walked aimlessly through the crowd, gradually becoming infected by her surroundings, and a gloom settled on her face.

"At least not all gods are like that. In my time, many gods had already united to build a defense line for humanity once again."

Charles remained noncommittal.

"What did you say?!"

Just then, she heard voices nearby. Belle looked in the direction of the voices and saw a woman with short, dashing blue hair. She held a long spear, and her blue combat suit revealed her fair back, while pure silver metal protected her arms and legs.

She narrowed her sharp eyes, her voice calm and desolate: "The troops supporting the magic stone factory haven't sent back a single piece of intelligence?"

"Yes, Shakti. It's like throwing a stone into the sea; no matter how much support we send, not a single one comes back!" the military policeman with the elephant trunk on his face exclaimed.

"Is that their real objective? Damn it, of all times, Freya's Familia isn't in the city." Shakti took a deep breath. This wasn't a reason to complain; the Dark Faction naturally chose to strike when the city's defenses were weak.

"What about Finn?"

"It seems that Loki insisted on going to protect the brewery, so some of the fighting force was diverted, and there is a severe shortage of manpower."

The military policeman hesitated and asked, "Um, Commander."

"Is there anything else?" Shakti's beautiful eyes swept over.