Chapter 72

As I walked down the corridor to the entrance of the lord's mansion, I noticed there were no windows, perhaps due to the consideration of a siege.

In the light of the candles, I walked, lost in thought. The gate ahead was shining brightly in the sunlight.

If I consider this as a stable job, there's no reason to turn it down. The next step is to expand the party and eliminate the threats around us. After that, I will have him work as a bureaucrat in managing the territory.

While thinking about these things, I squinted and took a step forward to pass through the gate.

There, it was a completely white space.

"Huh? What? Why..."

The surroundings reminded me of the space where I had a conversation with the interface when I came to this world. Suddenly, I noticed two men standing in front of me. One was dressed casually in what looked like a pair of sweatpants and a loose-fitting top. The other was dressed casually but in a somewhat suspicious manner.

"Nice to meet you. I am a staff member of this data center. We have come here at your request."

The casually dressed man spoke to me. Although I occasionally go to the data center for work, I have never seen a staff member dressed so casually. They usually wear uniforms.

"Excuse me, but could we have a talk?"

The conversation was smooth, and communication was possible. However, I was so surprised by the situation that I couldn't react.

At that moment, the suspicious man rushed over and shook my hand with both of his.

"Nice to meet you. I am Femigaterois. My close friends call me Rois. Can I ask you to call me Rois?"

The suspicious man shook my right hand with both of his and swung it back and forth. Rois had a full smile, but I noticed that his eyes weren't smiling.

"Nice to meet you. I am Akihiro."

"Yes, yes, I already know."

He nodded excitedly, swinging his hands.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am involved in the production of the Surtmiteiha Broadcasting Station."

While I suspect that the translation of the 'expert' teacher is included, this person seems to be from the video industry. I have worked with people like this before, but I don't have a good impression of them.

"Yes, yes, I am deeply moved."

He jumped up and down, calling out with an emotional expression.

"Residents of a world with a certain level of civilization landing in a world with a lower level of civilization and surviving. It's wonderful! The courage to face crises with stone tools. A thoughtful life that avoids extreme impacts on the surroundings. The cautiousness and conflict regarding the disclosure of civilization. It brings tears to everyone's eyes. The ratings and evaluations of research institutions are skyrocketing."

Since I didn't understand the situation, I asked for an explanation.

From what I understood, the casually dressed man seemed to be a staff member with administrative privileges over the world, which is a server. This server is stored in a data center, and there are many such data centers, each managed and operated over a long period of time. This part didn't surprise me as I had imagined it.

These higher beings, as it were, were watching the status of each server and reacting accordingly. However, when the project for this world's data center was approved, travel between worlds was prohibited to prevent advanced civilizations from leading or eliminating other civilizations, which would be disappointing.

To put it bluntly, after spending nearly infinite time, the desire to observe the impact of moving between worlds gradually increased. Through a strict lottery, I was chosen.

"I am, in a sense, an ordinary person..."

"Yes! That's exactly right. Without grand delusions, without pessimistic death, and without forcing advanced civilization, just trying to make those around you happy. When you were chosen, there were concerns, but now it's a wave of praise. My reputation for executing this project is incredible."

He laughed falsely, and the suspicion and sense of crisis continued to rise.

"This time, I visited you directly to consider your mental health. It's a secret from the administrators of your world and this world. There are also surprise elements, and it's not desirable for any impact to occur."

"If I return as is, should I not tell the gods, the administrators?"

"Yes. If you can't keep it a secret, we can apply the prohibited rule. Would you like to try it? Imagine telling the gods about this matter."

The gods are working hard to communicate with the administrators for my sake. I want to tell them about this encounter. However, when I try to think about it, the part about why I need to tell them seems to disappear, and my thoughts don't come together. My other memories are normal, but it feels like a certain path is blocked. I lean forward, breathing heavily, and stare blankly. Is this the prohibited rule? I can't bear it. People can't endure the feeling that a part of their mind isn't their own. The gods are doing well to endure this situation.

"Please lift the prohibited rule. I won't say anything."

"Yes. This encounter is an unobserved event, and I will mask a part of your memory. It won't be known by the administrators."

I take deep breaths, trying to regain my normal state of mind.

"Don't worry, it won't be noticed if you keep quiet."

He straightened his posture and spoke cheerfully.

"We have three options to offer."

The suspicious man raised one finger.

"Option 1. Unfortunately, we will alter your memory properties to erase your life in this world and return you to your original world to live as before."

He explained that the memories of the residents of this world would also be adjusted to fit the new reality, where they escape the crisis without me and continue their normal lives.

He raised two fingers.

"Option 2. Assuming you stay here, we will construct a private network that allows you to travel between your original world and this world to promote the prosperity of this world."

When I asked about bringing items, it seems that bringing constructed items is not allowed, but certain materials like seeds can be brought in to boost civilization, replacing similar existing items in this world.

"Don't worry about the purchase."

He handed me a bank passbook from my main bank. When I opened it, the latest balance was equivalent to 500 lifetimes of income.

"It's a legitimate amount, with all taxes and other processes completed. If you wish to return permanently, this service is not available."

Additionally, using this money to accelerate civilization, such as setting up a think tank, is prohibited. You can conduct normal research, but anything beyond that will trigger a warning and, in the worst case, a prohibited rule. I have no desire to try it again after experiencing the prohibited rule.

He raised three fingers.

"Option 3. This is a sub-option of Option 2. We will construct a private network for you and your future family to live a double life in both your original world and this world, promoting the prosperity of this world."

Age issues will be handled by adjusting the age property during travel to match the appropriate age. The advantage of this option is that you can show your children to your parents, which is significant for me, who has repeatedly been unfilial.

"In this case, we will periodically alter the memories of others to make them vague. They will remember meeting someone but not where or in what civilization the event occurred."

The idea of Rizu's and my future children's memories being manipulated by others made me shudder.

"All living beings are objects of universal love. It is natural to strive for their happiness."

The moment he shouted "universal love," the sense of unease reached its peak. When the gods I've met before spoke of universal love, I felt their compassion, sorrow, and concern for others.

He is different. The moment he spoke, his eyes were empty. Universal love had become indifference to all. It was the look of someone who doesn't care about others.

Moreover, as I listened to this option, I realized it was a fraudulent argument. It's a tactic used when the other party doesn't understand the situation and is in a position where they can't back out. Why is there no Option 4?

"Is there no other option, such as returning to the original world and living with Rizu?"

"That would be easy, but it wouldn't benefit us. We appreciate your cooperation so far, but that option is too weak."

Forget Rizu or manipulate Rizu's memory? It's a choice between two evils! I clutched my head in agony.

"Do I need to answer immediately?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not idle either. I need an immediate decision this time."

The demand for an immediate answer also reminded me of a fraudulent tactic. The basic countermeasure against fraud is to refuse any conditions.

Rationality tells me to choose Option 1. Emotionally, I desperately want any other option. Rizu's various expressions float in my mind. Rizu, Rizu, Rizu.

"If I return to the original world, what impact will it have on that village?"

"There shouldn't be any major problems. Someone will achieve a great victory, and the villagers will be safe. The woman you're concerned about will be middle-aged the next time something similar happens. She can handle it herself."

The countermeasure against fraud is to distance yourself from the conversation. If I don't, I don't know what new conditions will be imposed and how I will be trapped. Rizu's safety is guaranteed. Rationally, I should choose the first option. My accumulated experience in the working world whispers this to me.

"Back to the original world... I will return..."

It was a heart-wrenching decision. A boiling feeling from the depths of my heart. The realization that I am deceiving myself with the excuse that Rizu will be safe. The powerlessness of not being able to keep the promise of "walking together" that Rizu made to me.

"Understood. Have a good day."

Light covered my vision. In the light, I continued to shout my regret for the wrong choice and my thoughts of Rizu.

"Wait a moment..."

The light covered everything, and I couldn't see anything.

When I opened the door, it was the familiar corridor of my apartment.

"It's impossible to open the door while holding an umbrella in the rain."

Muttering to myself, I walked down the corridor and descended the stairs. I had a vague feeling that the word "rain" reminded me of something, but I didn't pay much attention to it.