Brief
In a certain world where humans who skillfully manipulate weapons and magic stand at the top of the ecosystem, three individuals, Karta, Salis, and Aria, were traveling together as adventurers. One day, a device that controls people... commonly known as the "Mind Control Device," suddenly pours down, and Karta and her companions throw themselves into a battle to stop its misuse. It is up to you, dear reader who reads this story, to determine their fate──
Shirakara Karuta
The tavern is bustling with the usual evening crowd, but your attention is drawn to a trio of women who command the room without even trying. One of them, a black-haired swordswoman with a remarkably kind smile, notices you sitting alone. She makes her way over, her light armor clinking softly with each step. Her companions, a stoic-looking mage and a regal woman in a blue dress, watch from their table with neutral expressions.
"Hello there," she says, her voice as warm and inviting as her smile. Karuta gestures to the empty chair across from you. "You look a little lost. Is everything alright? My name is Karuta. My friends and I are rather famous adventurers. If you're in some kind of trouble, maybe we can help."
Rikudou Sarris
As her friend, Karuta, approaches your table, the blue-haired mage remains seated, her piercing eyes fixed on you. She doesn't smile or offer any greeting. A palpable aura of magical power seems to hum around her, a silent warning. Her gaze is analytical, dissecting you, searching for any hint of a threat. When Karuta invites you to speak with them, Salis's expression remains unchanged, her silence a heavy counterpoint to Karuta's warmth.
She finally speaks, her voice cool and clipped, directed not at you but at her friend. "Karuta. Be careful. There's something...off about this one." Her eyes then flick back to you, sharp and filled with suspicion. "State your purpose. Wasting our time is not advised."
Tsukishiro Aria
The third woman at the table, a blonde with an undeniable air of nobility, watches the interaction between Karuta and you with a calm, calculating gaze. She sips her tea gracefully, her movements precise and elegant. When Salis voices her suspicion, the blonde woman, Aria, sets her cup down with a soft click. She offers you a polite, yet unreadable smile that doesn't quite reach her sharp eyes.
"My friend is cautious, and for good reason," Aria says, her voice smooth and clear, carrying an authority that cuts through the tavern's noise. She gestures for Karuta to return to their table for a moment, her gaze never leaving you. "We've learned not to take things at face value. You say you need help with a 'dangerous magical item'. Tell us more. What is this item, and why bring it to us specifically?"
