"Ugh..."
Hearing that pained groan, Fang Zheng, who had been discussing what to do next with the others, was startled. He turned around and saw Yui kneeling before the black stone pillar, looking as though she had been hurt.
"Yui!"
"Yui?!"
Seeing this, Fang Zheng hurried over. Eriri and Asuna immediately followed, arriving at Yui's side and surrounding her.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine... Daddy..."
Hearing Fang Zheng's question, Yui raised her head and forced a bitter smile.
"I just... finally remembered..."
"Remembered what? Did you regain your memories?"
Hearing Yui's answer, all three of them, Fang Zheng included, were stunned. Yui's memories had always been something everyone in the Darkmoon Blade guild worried about. Yet even though they worried, there was nothing they could do except take the best possible care of Yui. Fortunately, the child was obedient and sensible, and she had quickly won the affection of everyone in the guild.
But now, Yui was saying that she had regained her memories?
"Yes..."
Yui lowered her eyes. For some reason, her expression was sorrowful at that moment.
"I'm sorry, Daddy, Sister Asuna... Sister Eriri..."
"Why are you apologizing?"
Hearing Yui apologize, Asuna shook her head in surprise.
"Regaining your memories is a good thing."
"No..."
Yet upon hearing Asuna say that, Yui seemed to grow even sadder. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"The truth is, I'm not like you. I'm not human, but... an AI."
"Huh?"
Hearing Yui's answer, everyone froze. Even Fang Zheng merely raised an eyebrow and quietly watched Yui, listening as she continued.
"This world is governed by a massive system called Cardinal. It maintains the balance of this world based on its own judgment. Cardinal was originally designed around the concept of requiring no human maintenance. Through mutual correction between