She is not an investigator.

He's really not suited to handle this kind of thing... I just hope Igris has a good time.

The Gods' Fool - The Castle's Invitation: Chapter Thirty-Eight, The Rabbit Can't Talk (Bonus Chapter)

"You can't see it?"

"It's like the feeling I had with that man before: it's like a completely empty space, or like someone has erased something from my mind; I can't see anything anymore."

In the basement, after recalling Igris's past experiences, the Mirror Demon did not provide any decisive clues, but it did confirm some of Igris's conjectures.

That experience was indeed intentionally concealed. Both the pocket watch and the man were guiding Igris to ignore the experience of the first loop, and the only way she could understand the source of it all was probably by piecing together flashbacks and inspiration.

"But right now, the most crucial thing is probably still Southern Science and Technology University."

In other words, it seems that all Irène needs to do now is wait for Nanko to persuade his brother to make a wish on the Tear of the Ocean after the sacrifice, and then wait for the result without having to think about anything else.

After all, Igris's goal was not to find the truth, but to escape this cycle.

"Shall we go rest here, okay? Or go out for a stroll? Or see some sights? I haven't really seen much of the outside world, you'll grant my wish, right?"

"As long as you listen to me."

The Mirror Demon crawled into the shards of mirror, and Igris simply took it with her as she walked out of the basement.

Next, she'll probably need to catch Rag, who's lurking between the pipes, but Nanko might stop him beforehand, so Igris doesn't really have anything to worry about.

And since Olivia left early, it's still quite early, so Igris might actually be able to take the mirror image outside for a stroll.

It's also a good time to relax and unwind after being under so much tension lately.

……

"Actually, looking at it this way, the scenery around the castle is quite nice."

Igris stood on the grass outside the wall, looking at the sky that was reddened by the setting sun, the vast grassland reflected in the setting sun, and the bare tree trunks in the distance, which looked like they were in late autumn. She couldn't tell whether she felt desolate or melancholy.

The autumn wind occasionally swirls up fallen leaves from the ground, which fly for a while before falling back down. The tall weeds underfoot also sway slightly, but only for a short while before stopping.

Igris didn't know how to manage her long hair, so she swayed in the wind like the weeds, sometimes stopping, sometimes being stirred again.

The Mirror Demon crouched on the ground, its silhouette mostly hidden by the low wall behind it, thus avoiding the unnecessary trouble of being discovered.

It had always wanted to go out and explore, because it had seen other people's memories and knew that the world was always very big.

So it will be captivated, will enjoy the atmosphere, relish everything it sees, and be grateful to the people who brought it all to it.

"Igris?"

The Mirror Demon, using Igris's voice, gently called to the girl who seemed lost in thought, drawing her attention away from the wind and onto herself.

"what happened?"

"Thank you."

This is its sincerest gratitude, and a completely new experience it has never felt before.

Igris didn't answer, but couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth into a fairly nice smile.

The Mirror Demon watched her quietly, observing her radiant smile and the light shining in her eyes.

The Mirror Demon now knew why Igris refused to enter the mirror world.

It has been wrong all along. Igris' life is indeed unfortunate, tragic, and comparable to a clown in a cheesy drama, but at this moment, Igris doesn't care about any of that because she is always full of hope and love for this world.

Because she had nothing.

Therefore, she can have more.

Facing the future, facing tomorrow, Igris is always willing to have the greatest expectations, even if tomorrow may not be good, she can still find what she is pursuing, her love and pursuit of life.

Naïve to the point of being foolish, even a fanatical idealist.

The Mirror Demon is growing to like her more and more.

Having witnessed countless negative emotions, self-pity, and people who want to escape life, escape their existence, and end everything because of various things, Igris's character evoked a deeper feeling in me.

Perhaps it can stay by Igris's side forever.

Follow her, travel all over the world, see all kinds of scenery, and pursue all the beauty in life.

Ah, it's decided, it has already decided.

If humans have the right to pursue their dreams and desires, then what about the abnormal?

I think so too.

It shouldn't be the first, nor the last.

"Igris?"

It called out to Igris again, and the moment she looked over, it suddenly stood up and hugged her.

"Can we be together forever?"

"..."

The autumn wind swept through Igris's long hair once more, seemingly carrying away her words as well, leaving everything around her in complete silence.

Igris did not answer, because she had done what she should have done, and what she most wanted to do.

That is, to shove her pistol into the mouth of the guy in front of her.

What's gotten into you now?

"Pah! Don't just shove a gun barrel into someone's mouth."

The Mirror Demon reluctantly released Igris and said honestly.

"Didn't you think the atmosphere just now was great?"

"What atmosphere? I don't understand what you're saying."

Igris didn't understand what atmosphere was; she only knew that the moment the Mirror Demon pounced, Igris was already ready to pull the trigger.

"I mean... never mind, can I be with you forever?"

The Mirror Demon once again posed its question, which was also a request, to the bewildered and clueless Igris.

"Are you having an attack?"

"I'm not sick. I just feel that maybe we can become the best partners. I can help you a lot, and you are willing to take me to all over the world to see all kinds of scenery. We are simply a match made in heaven!"

Igris frowned slightly, but still put away the pistol and said, pretending to think.

"Sure, but you have to make sure you can actually help me. I can't have a useless guy by my side."

"I can take a bullet for you!"

Why is this guy always thinking about blocking bullets? Does Igris really look like she's going to get shot? A guy who can transform into various shapes must have a wider range of uses than just blocking bullets.

"Let's start with the simplest thing, like becoming a rabbit."

Igris still felt that a soft and cute white rabbit would make her feel more comfortable than being with another version of herself.

"A rabbit? Why a rabbit?"

"Stop talking nonsense, just change when I tell you to."

Faced with Igris's request, the Mirror Demon, though somewhat reluctant, transformed into the familiar white rabbit, sitting quietly on the grass and watching Igris.

Igris looked at the rabbit, and the rabbit looked at her. Neither of them spoke, but it seemed as if they had countless things to say.

Why aren't you speaking?

The rabbit hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft squeak.

That's right.

Rabbits can't talk.

Igris picked up the rabbit and gently stroked its ears.

"It feels exactly the same, so cute... Why don't you just leave it as it is, I like it."

As soon as Igris finished speaking, the rabbit in her arms began to struggle violently, seemingly very dissatisfied with Igris's decision. However, after a pistol was placed on its forehead, it quieted down.

"That's more like it."

The Gods' Fool - The Castle's Invitation: Chapter Thirty-Nine, You Can't Fall for Someone You've Only Known for Three Days

Igris and the Mirror Demon's harmonious coexistence did not last long before it was interrupted by an uninvited guest.

It's Olivia.

"What are you doing here? I've been looking for you for ages."

As Olivia spoke, she approached Igris, who was holding a rabbit and watching the sunset.

"...Where did this rabbit come from?"

"I caught it."

Igris looked at Olivia and asked, somewhat puzzled.

"You were looking for me? Is there something you need?"

"It's nothing... Can I have a hug?"

The conversation sounded so familiar. If it weren't for the different location, Igris would probably have thought the cycle had started again.

So what was she supposed to say here?

"Are you referring to a rabbit or something?"

That's probably how it's phrased.

"All...ok?"

Sure enough, even the dialogue is the same.

But no matter which one it is, Igris would never let her hold it, since it's not a real rabbit, but a mirror demon disguised as a rabbit.

"Let's get down to business. What did you call me here for?"

Igris put the rabbit on the grass, and it very cooperatively took off running, but it probably won't be long before it runs back on its own.

"what…"

Watching the rabbit run away, Olivia reached out her hand with some regret, but in the end she could only reluctantly withdraw it, pretending that nothing had happened.