My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

If he discovers the truth, the end of the world will inevitably follow.

On the day that Cipher let the twins know about his fate, they were naturally concerned.

If the end of the world truly came to fruition, there was no way for anyone to survive, and that included him.

Thus, in order to protect him, they had to prevent the end of the world.

And the only way of doing that was to prevent him from discovering the truth.

However, as he had told them, he would stop at nothing to find out said truth.

If they stopped him, they knew.

The resentment, the disgust, the feeling of betrayal.

Neither he nor they would ever be able to recover if they stabbed him in the back like that, especially after he opened his heart and revealed everything to the two of them.

But, if they weighed it alongside the alternative on a scale, they knew it was the only answer.

Because, even if he discarded them like dirt on the side of the road as a result,

Then, at least he would be safe.

Sana and Sona.

They were fine with that much.

And so, just following the day that Cipher revealed everything to them...

"...Huh? What bullshit are you spouting--"

"L-language, Sophie! They're children..."

"Oh, be quiet. It's far too late for that nonsense now. Anyway, you girls're serious, right? This ain't a joke?"

"Have they ever joked when it came to something like this?"

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"No, in fact, I don't think they've even joked. Period."

"Hey, I'm sure they have."

""...It's serious.""

Sophie and Emir were rendered speechless at the twins' insistence. He gulped, whilst her brows furrowed.

"No, how can that be? That guy has always been crazy, a super psycho bastard, and an asshole jerk, sure, but it's not like he's the villain in a comic book or something. Are you sure?"

At her words, Araceli―sitting on the couch with folded arms―opened her closed eyes and interrupted.

"They're right."

"...No, really? But that guy only knows how to answer questions. How the hell could he end the world, isn't that just crazy? Also, how...?"

Araceli made a complicated expression. "Certain circumstances don't allow me to tell you explicitly, but... In short, once he finds out what he wants to know, nothing else matters; the world is at immeasurable risk. His Measurement of Truth will evolve and, using it, he will try to destroy everything."

Due to the mortal restrictions of recklessly spreading Forbidden Knowledge, she couldn't tell them any details about anything, but she could still let them know why it was so important.

"I don't have any evidence I can show you, but it's the same reason why Azaki Kiryuuin is trying to stop him. Cipher isn't evil, no, but finding out the truth is what 'corrupts' his mind in a way."

'It was never stated in the novel what it was about the truth of the world being a story that made Cipher act so extremely, but it's probably something like that? Ugh, I wish I could just tell them everything without worrying about that stupid Forbidden Knowledge...'

"Um, excuse us..."

"Did you say something about Measurement evolution?"

Suddenly, the twins spoke up and asked, to which Araceli answered simply.

"Yes. If we allow Cipher's Measurement of Truth to evolve, everything is over."

""...""

The twins glanced at each other. They had been down in Cipher's laboratory, and he had even told them personally about what he was doing down there, so they knew.

"Ciphy is researching it now."

"Ciphy wants to evolve his power."

Sophie and Emir froze after hearing the twins' confession, but Araceli waved her hand as if it wasn't an issue.

"I already expected that, don't worry. It'll take many years before he can complete a final product, so we don't have to worry about that just yet."

'That's why the first round took so long, after all. In all of Azaki's regression cycles, Cipher always took seven years to develop a drug that could forcefully evolve his Measurement of Truth. If we can slow him down or deprive him of resources, then it will take even longer than that.'

"Personally, I would request all of us to work together with Azaki Kiryuuin and the Wardens to ensure this is taken care of properly. If we do it on our own, it's not guaranteed to work."

At Araceli's suggestion, everyone felt hesitant. However, after she carefully explained to them that they really just wanted to stop the world from ending, although they were technically enemies, everyone agreed that it was the right thing to do.

"Hmm. But then, why is it so hard to just capture him?" Scratching her head, Sophie asked. "As it stands, he's basically powerless, right?"

Araceli nodded. "That's right, but you have to remember. None of us want him dead, and the Wardens are also reluctant to take lives if they can help it. We have to capture him alive, but doing so is incredibly difficult without a plan and meticulous preparation."

Emir tilted his head. "Wait. If we have a plan and preparation, then won't he just easily find out and make preparations of his own? At that point, the cat is out of the bag, and he might even run away."

"Bingo," Araceli snapped her fingers. "That's why we won't have a plan."

She knew from reading the novel so many times exactly what Cipher's weaknesses were.

'He was always prepared whenever Azaki made a plan to capture him, and so they always failed. But, whenever Azaki got caught up in his emotions and just went thoughtlessly, there was no way Cipher could've known.'

So, they just needed to do the same. NovelFire-unofficial-chapter

"Against him, it's counterproductive to have a plan. But, we can still make preparations."

"Isn't it the same thing? If we prepare to capture him, he'll know, right? Even if there is no specific plan in place, he'll still figure out that we're up to something."

"Aha, but you see, that's where Azaki and I come in."

Because Araceli and Kiryuuin's existences are both heavily tied to Forbidden Knowledge, they become immune to the Measurement of Truth. That's why he can never know precisely what they are thinking or what they are up to.

"Although he will know if we are planning or preparing for something, he won't know anything more. So, since it is my plan, he won't figure out what we are doing."

"Eh? Then what's the bloody point of not havin' a plan if he ain't gonna know anyway?"

"If we don't have a plan, then all he'll know is that we are preparing something. But, because we're always preparing something, that in itself isn't suspicious."

If he knows the enemy is planning, it's the same as usual.

If he knows the enemy is preparing, it's also the same as usual.

However, it is only when the enemy both has a plan and is preparing that it becomes a cause for concern; because it is at that point that the enemy is soon to strike.

If they are preparing without a plan then, of course, the danger is not immediate.

In other words, they would lull him into a false sense of security.

"...Wow. That's smart."

"It's only possible because one, we have people who Cipher's power doesn't work against; and two, because we know how to take advantage of its weakness."

"I see... Then, how're we gonna prepare?"

At Sophie's question, everyone's gazes drilled holes into Araceli. They were all eager to do their best if it meant saving the world―saving Cipher.

"I don't want you guys to do anything."

However, to their surprise, Araceli shook her head. Before they could oppose and throw a fit, she continued.

"None of you are immune to the Measurement of Truth. If any of you are involved, then he'll find out, and that defeats the purpose of the whole 'secrecy' thing."

By having the details of the preparation known only by Araceli and perhaps Kiryuuin, there would be no way for it to leak.

There was no need for them to risk that just because they wanted to do something extra.

"I just want you to behave as you normally do, without anything unnecessary."

They were rightfully upset, but no one argued Araceli's request. They all understood that it was for the best.

Standing up from her seat, Araceli walked towards the door.

"Thank you. Then, I've got a plan sorted-- Oops, I mean, I don't have a plan, so I'll go and talk to Azaki about the same thing. By the way, where is Selina?"

"Oh, she said she was going to take a shower."

"Alright. Please let her know about what we talked about. She's a sweet girl and deserves to know what's going on. Make sure she doesn't act recklessly, though―actually, that goes for all of you."

"Sure..."

Sweeping her gaze across their faces at Emir's weak reply, Araceli smiled wryly.

"It was lovely meeting you all, really. You might not understand, but I think you are all wonderful people. And..."

Turning her head, she opened the door.

"...I hope you can forgive him."

Leaving the rest in confusion as she left, Araceli walked with a certain regressor in mind.