Chapter Text
Where did everything go wrong?
Faust grimaced as she leaned against a wall and pressed against the wound in her abdomen, attempting to stop its bleeding as best as she could.
A very long time ago in a completely different world, back when she went by a name that was not "Faust," she had read a novel. It was a tragic, tragic tale, telling the story of a young girl named Yoshihide, who was forced to train under the House of Spiders to become an ultimate weapon, one that could devastate the world. That girl would eventually snap and go on a rampage, first wiping out the House she had been raised in, then the rest of the world and then finally herself. It was one of those desolate stories, where a happy ending was too far beyond reach.
(As much as she didn't want to admit it, she felt a little too reminded of the girl's circumstances. Back then, when reading that novel, part of her had thought as well, "if I could just eliminate this cruel world and everything in it-")
Unfortunately, the version of her who had read that story had passed away soon after. And yet, for some reason, she was given a mission by some higher being, who called themselves the "Gesellschaft."
"To enter this world and eliminate its primary threat, Yoshihide—that is your sole mission. For that purpose, you shall be given the name 'Faust' and be granted a new life."
With that, she was placed within the story as an insignificant side character.
"The Gesellschaft expects great results from you, Faust. Do not disappoint."
"Faust will not," she had replied.
Having no other purpose in this life, she decided to dedicate the rest of her life for this mission, for the sake of her own survival.
As she knew the way the "original story" would unfold, she had quite an advantage. She had formulated a detailed plan to infiltrate the House of Spiders by disguising herself as a member of the Index, in order to eliminate Yoshihide early, and yet...
Her attempt had been foiled by none other than the Index Nursefather, the primary "villain" of the original story.
She knew he would be the biggest threat. All the Nursefathers would be quite the threat, of course, but out of all of them, he was by far the most powerful. So she had planned to execute her plan during a time period where he would not be at the House of Spiders and yet...
"How could Faust's knowledge have failed?" she muttered under her breath. "The original story... There is no reasonable way for it to be altered, so-"
"Found you."
Shit.
There he was. The Index Nursefather, Yi Sang.
"You truly sent me on quite the chase, miss." He spoke about the whole matter incredibly casually. Black ferrofluid floated around him, almost forming the shape of a wing behind his back.
"If your intention is to simply stand there and laugh, Faust would rather you just eliminate me now."
"Do not fret," the man responded with a twisted smile. "I was about to proceed with that." The ferrofluid reformed itself into a large scythe, which he grabbed onto it and swung towards her.
Faust closed her eyes and braced for the weapon's impact, and yet-
Beep. Beep beep.
"... Oh?"
Confused, she cracked open one eye to glance at the man, who was now staring at the pager in his hand.
"... I see. How interesting."
He turned towards her, with a strange look in his eyes.
"Well, rather unfortunately for you, Miss Faust... It seems I cannot simply grant your wish today."
Faust felt a sting against her neck as her consciousness began to fade away.
When she next awoke, she found herself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Confused, she attempted to sit up, only to be met with a sharp pain in her lower abdomen.
Right. She got stabbed by Yi Sang earlier.
Wait, how was she even still alive...?
Trying her best to ignore the pain, she looked around the room in an attempt to gauge her surroundings, only to meet eyes with a little girl peeking over the side of the bed she was on. She had short black hair and brilliant red eyes, and two small bows donned the sides of her head. She stared at Faust for a bit, before turning towards the doorway.
"Dad! She's awaaake!"
Faust blinked in surprise. This girl was...
"Yoshihide?"
She nodded cheerfully and grinned. "I'm Yoshihide! Wow, how'd you know my name? Did Dad tell you about me already?"
"Yoshihide, please do not disturb our guest too much."
Yi Sang stepped into the room, and Yoshihide ran up to him.
"Ah, sorry... We don't usually get new guests. Either Dad or the others get rid of them. Hehe, I've cleaned some of them up too these days!"
Yi Sang patted her head as she spoke. "Your improvement has been incredible recently." Yoshihide seemed incredibly pleased with the praise and smiled brightly.
As Faust watched this scene unfold before her eyes, she could barely believe that Yoshihide, who looked nothing but innocent, would become a world-destroying weapon in the future.
Yi Sang cleared his throat. "Yoshihide, could you step out of the room? There is something that I must discuss with our guest here."
"Aw, alright... Guess I'll play with someone else, then!" Yoshihide ran out the doorway, before peeking back in to wave at Faust. "See you, Miss Guest Lady!" With that, she bolted off again.
"I ask you please do not mind her too much. She's at an age where she is rather curious and energetic, after all."
Faust simply stared at him.
"For what purpose have you brought me here?"
"Rather impatient aren't we, Miss Faust?" He said as he leaned closer to Faust, staring her in the face.
In response, Faust awkwardly glanced off to the side, trying to avoid his gaze. "Faust is currently rather uncomfortable with your close proximity, taking into consideration the fact that you stabbed me earlier."
"I may have stabbed you, but do take into account that I had someone tend to your wounds while you were unconscious."
"Please just answer the question."
"It was simply due to the orders of the Prescript, Miss Faust," Yi Sang replied noncommittally. "I too am perplexed by this, if I may be particularly honest. It appears Hermes thinks that you are... a special case worth keeping alive. Be grateful, for the Will of the City has determined your existence valuable."
"The Will of the City..." Faust mused. Thinking about it in that way, it made sense. If anything in this world could disturb the flow of the "story" itself, of course it would be the omniscient and all-knowing Will of the City. She silently cursed herself for failing to recognize such a flaw in her plan.
"But you know, Miss Faust," he continued with an ominous smile on his face. "For you to simply walk out of the House of Spiders unharmed after purposefully sneaking in and attempting to harm the House would be... rather unfair, wouldn't it?"
... Faust felt a chill go up her spine. This could not be good at all for her.
"As such, I would like for us to enter a contract of sorts, if you will."
"You word it as if it is a mutual agreement, but Faust doubts there really is a choice here."
"How wonderfully astute of you," Yi Sang answered with a sneer. "Your judgement is correct. As much as I would like to offer to depose you here and now as your alternative option, the Prescript requests me do otherwise." While he was saying this, he pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen. "Ah, I happen to be in a somewhat good mood today though, so I shall allow you the opportunity to read through your contract before signing it."
Faust sighed as she took the paper and briefly skimmed over the contents. She blinked in confusion.
"... You would like Faust to act as a caretaker for Yoshihide...?"
"It is what the Prescript has ordained for you, yes. A position of the 'Nursemother,' if you will."
Faust thought it over. As much as she did not want to stay within the House of Spiders... if she had a reason to remain by Yoshihide's side, her mission would be much easier.
If I can make everyone within the House of Spiders lower their guard around me, then-
"... Faust accepts these terms, albeit begrudgingly."
Upon hearing those words, Yi Sang chuckled. "I am rather glad you seem decently compliant with what the Prescripts are demanding of you, Miss Faust."
"Once again, Faust does not see any choice besides compliance." She signed her name upon the paper, and handed it back to Yi Sang.
"You would be surprised to see how many fools attempt to resist the demands of the Prescript," Yi Sang mused as he signed his own name on the contract as well. The moment he picked up his pen, the piece of paper glowed, and then disappeared.
Yi Sang turned towards Faust once again. "Well, now that our contract is complete..."
"It is a pleasure to work with you, Miss Faust. Or shall I say, Madam Nursemother?"
"... Same to you as well," Faust replied in a flat tone.
"Miss Guest!" Yoshihide exclaimed, running up to Faust. "I heard you're staying here now as well?"
"Faust supposes so," she answered with a slight nod.
Upon hearing this, the young child's expression seemed to brighten.
"Hooray! Another person to play with!" She cheered. "Sometimes everyone else is busy, so it gets a little lonely sometime..."
"Is that so?" Faust mused. "Well, it seems that Faust's presence will be of help to you."
"Yeah!" Yoshihide responded with a wide grin. Then she stopped for a second. "Ah, I should stop calling you Miss Guest, right?"
"Um, I hope we'll get along, Miss Faust!"
"Faust hopes we shall get along as well."
This would be easy. She could get Yoshihide attached to her, get everyone around them to trust Faust, and then, when the moment is right, she'd strike and finally eliminate Yoshihide, completing the Gesellschaft's mission.
This will be fine... right?