DECEPTION (Female Reader) [SAKAMOTO DAYS]

26: "Ultimate Truth"

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THREE YEARS LATER
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"Alrighty~" I said to myself, my tone light and playful. "Looks like this is the last stop~"

It had been a few years since Rion’s death and the last time I saw Kei. In that time, I made it my mission to raid every hideout belonging to this wretched 'Burnt Offering' organization. They were easier to dismantle than I anticipated, which, to be honest, left me a bit underwhelmed. I was hoping for a challenge. This final stop, though, I figured I’d at least treat myself to my favorite dessert once it was over.

Over the past few months, my strength had grown considerably, and sometimes it felt like I was moving through a haze, as if I was already lost in my own labyrinth. Setting aside the battles, I focused on something deeper: learning more about this world. I accessed more and more networks in the underworld, uncovering secrets hidden from most eyes.

After taking down the last of those sick bastards, I stumbled across a mini-library in the hideout. It wasn’t just filled with history books; they had files and documents on their 'successful creations,' experiments dating back long before I was even born. My eyes scanned the room, landing on a small music box sitting on a lone desk. Curious, I walked over and spun the handle. The tiny ballerina popped out, twirling gracefully to a soft, soothing lullaby.

For a moment, I felt warm. The melody brought a wave of nostalgia. It reminded me of the music we were forced to listen to as children. Back then, we’d all fall asleep as soon as that music played. Strangely, it only affected us—never the adults. I always wondered why. Now, after everything I’d learned, it was clear: the music was designed to hypnotize us, the 'Nameless,' lulling us into submission.

I clicked my tongue in frustration, my mood souring. Without thinking twice, I snatched up the music box and hurled it to the ground, smashing it into pieces before it could sink its claws into me. The lullaby cut off abruptly, and I rubbed my temples, trying to clear the lingering fog in my mind.

That’s when I noticed something among the broken shards on the floor. Bending down, I brushed away the debris and found an old, crumpled note. It must have been hidden in the box for who knows how long. As I unfolded the paper, a few German words stared back at me: "Hinter den roten Büchern."

Good thing they forced me to learn German back then. I read the phrase easily. It translated to, "Behind the red books." My eyes shifted toward the shelves lining the walls. Of course, I had to check them again.

With a renewed sense of curiosity, I walked over to the shelves, eyes scanning the rows of red-bound books. What were they hiding behind them? I was about to find out.

Finally spotting the shelves filled with nothing but red books, I moved closer, inspecting every inch. Something told me there was more to this—perhaps a hidden passage, or at least a secret compartment. After a thorough search, I finally found it: a tiny safe hidden behind the books.

My first reaction was to sigh in frustration. Of course, it had a passcode. I attempted several combinations, but each try ended in failure. I nearly slammed my fist against the wall out of pure aggravation. It was almost laughable—so close, yet so far.

On the verge of giving up, I scanned through the building again, desperate to find anything that might help unlock the safe. I came up empty. Exhausted, I stopped and leaned against the desk, forcing myself to think carefully.

'Why did they start this contract with the 'Nameless' in the first place?' The answer was clear—it was because of me. I was the last 'successful creation,' the so-called 'Ultimate Puppet.' They wanted me to be their tool, their weapon to do more damage to this country. That was all I ever was to them.