*****

「――Danger? My ability is out of ammo, it's practically useless now.」

Rob confessed it casually.

However, Cubas, having already received the report from the local investigator in the Kingdom of Hanover, showed no surprise and refuted him.

「……So that was the extent of your 'loss of power'…… However, that is not the point. Its weakness is no problem at all. There exists such a thing as an 'Ability to Read Abilities'.」

When Cubas said that, Rob slapped his forehead in an 'oh crap' gesture.

「Generally, skills and magic cannot perceive extraordinary abilities, but an Ability to Read Abilities can. Your ability is linguistically extremely complex. I began analyzing it last night, and just a moment ago, I finally managed to grasp its details.――'Demon King Cannon.' You remember that name, don't you?」

(Caught me,) Rob thought with a wry smile.

「That thing. When I fought the Demon King, he copied my satellite cannon. I defeated him right before it fired, but I absorbed the Demon King Cannon on my end, so even though my ability became ammo-restricted, one shot remained. Ah, is that why there are dangerous people hiding in here?」

Arcelia was speechless at Rob's nonchalant admission.

The final investigator exam, the degradation of his ability, the Demon King Cannon—it was all completely out of the blue, and she didn't know how to react. Perhaps that was why she hadn't noticed anything until now.

「……You looking to fight?」

At Rob's provocative tone, the presence of the countless entities surrounding them swelled.

「That depends on you. I think you know better than anyone what kind of existence the Demon King is. And that we cannot overlook an ability that bears the name of such a being. By the way, everyone here is an enforcement investigator who surpasses Investigator Neil Flaggs. Do not think you can break through.」

(That old guy……)

Recalling the grim reaper with dead fish eyes, Rob furrowed his brow.

「So, kill me and call it a day?」

「We cannot have you spreading the Demon King around with that socially deficient sense of justice of yours. Under our protection, you will enter a rehabilitation facility, and afterwards, you may be granted a certain range of freedom. However, you will be subject to restrictions, including surveillance, a ban on traveling to other worlds, and restrictions on the use of your ability.」

「Rehabilitation? Am I a criminal? Well, I'd accept surveillance by a pretty lady anytime, but the travel ban is a problem. I want to meet Saburo-san again. So, what if I refuse?」

「I believe that is something you can understand without me having to say it.」

「I'd like you to spare me that, too.」

「Saying 'I don't want this' and 'I don't want that' is the same as a child.」

Cubas said this admonishingly, but Rob retorted nonchalantly.

「If you have the power to push through your 'I don't want this' and 'I don't want that,' I feel like you can't really be called a child. Well, whatever…… Can I assume this is the consensus of the Alliance, the will of all the residents of this world?」

「Naturally. This will all be reported through the respective world governments. There are no flaws in the procedures up to this point. As they say, 'A hero without a collar is the same as a terrorist,' which is why powerful extraordinary abilities must be managed to that extent.」

If there were abilities capable of powerful brainwashing or incitement, they could not be left alone. Especially if the personality of the person possessing them would cross the rules made by the Alliance without hesitation, their very existence was dangerous.

「Alright, alright. That's――」

「――If you're going to eliminate him, then please kill me along with him.」

Arcelia declared this with determination.

*****

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