Chapter 83

We have decided to move. It has come to this. Even though we didn't have to, it has happened.

Whose fault is it? Who lured the family, which had found small happiness and lived peacefully, into a world inhabited by demons and monsters?

It's Loki's fault. Yeah, it's Loki's fault. In general, it's best to blame bad things on Loki.

In front of the world's most wonderful family, Higanomiya Miu decided to think this way.

"…But it's not that simple."

The Higanomiya family was moving in a magic armored limousine, which had the ability to float, flying through the sky. Even drinking orange juice from a fluffy sofa-like seat and the built-in refrigerator couldn't lift her spirits. Although they were flying, which should have made her more excited, she was feeling down.

While avoiding reality, she looked out the car window at her home, which was growing smaller, and felt lonely. Her sense of guilt was at its peak. Although I don't feel guilty when I kill villains in a game, I feel a bit relieved that I can have normal emotions in other aspects.

I was thinking that maybe I had turned into a monster. Just thinking about it, the fact that I don't feel any pain from my existence is also a game feature, I thought.

You know, game characters don't think about why they are game characters and suffer, right? So, I don't feel any pain either. Hmm, that might be Higanomiya Miu's greatest weakness.

The scariest thing is that the heart is a monster, but the outside is an ordinary human, as is often said in old novels.

With a sigh, Miu, the beautiful girl, straightened her nearly silver-gray hair and clouded her sapphire-like ice-blue eyes. She let out a melancholy sigh. Is this the right way to use "melancholy"?

'That's right. I think that your melodramatic attitude is the problem. Miss.'

Pressing her puffy cheeks against the window, Miu, who showed a cute appearance, was told by the old man with a single eye that appeared in the air with a piercing gaze. Being called melodramatic by Odin, the old man, was quite a shock.

'What, what's melodramatic about me?'

Puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, Miu was not acting. She was living as Higanomiya Miu, following her heart.

'Hmm... Indeed, when you say it like that, it is. Then, this is interesting. You probably have a dual personality. However, since you don't have a personality disorder, this is also a characteristic of yours.'

While stroking his white beard, Odin's eyes sparkled with interest. Personally, I don't need any more characteristics. I'm not a surprise person.

I narrowed my eyes, but Odin continued his speculation without concern.

'Probably, the Higanomiya Miu living in this world, that is, the original girl living in this world, and you as the player controlling the game character, are fused into existence. Therefore, the attitude you show to your parents is not acting, but simply being silly.'

'I don't think the last part about being silly is necessary. I'm a family-loving, cute, talented Miu.'

'If you're not silly, you're too young. ...Hmm. You might really be young. If you're immortal in the My Room...'

Odin's new hypothesis has some points I can agree with. I'm not silly. However, I have never agonized over why I am doing this, thinking back to my previous life. Indeed, my spirit is not being dragged by this body, but rather it is the original Miu's personality.

I'll pretend I didn't hear the part about immortality. It only leaves me with anxiety. What if I stay small? No, I just won't immerse myself in the My Room. Well, thinking about it, it's just a slight influence. I don't need to worry about it.

That's why I thought I could live a normal life with Yami and the others. The fact that I didn't feel guilty for pretending to be a clever Miu and deceiving everyone around me... The reason I was disappointed that Charla Mien was a set of fried rice and ramen... It was because of Miu's personality. I see. It wasn't my fault.

'That is, the two personalities are fused without contradiction, which is the work of 'magic.' I'm curious about the circumstances of your birth, but there are many other things I want to investigate now. We can talk about it later. More importantly, don't mistreat Gery and Flexy.'

'That's a harsh way to put it. But, understood. I'll take good care of the puppies, so don't worry.'

I bowed deeply to the old man Odin, who had lent me the small body. This was absolutely necessary. Even if I was thought of as a delinquent Miu who goes out at night, I didn't notice at all, which made the Kongo sisters and the Martini guys sad.

Is it because this world is a novel world? I don't know if the guards in my previous life were the same, but they are extremely strong physically. In other words, they are brainless.

They are strong against attackers, but I don't think they can deal with sneaky intruders. Even when I sneak out, Fligg doesn't notice.

'Well, with this, we should be able to detect sneaky intruders. Gery and Flexy have 'presence detection,' after all.'

A new monitor floated in the air, and Fligg, with a seductive smile, joined the conversation.

'Yes. It would be strange for wolves not to have 'presence detection.' It's natural. In the game, you couldn't see their stats, right?'

'They were just names that auto-attack. Their stats weren't visible.'

As the old man Odin said, Gery and Flexy are just accessories of Odin. They don't take up party slots. They appear with the message 'Gery and Flexy also attacked!' and leave the screen after attacking, following the old man Odin. It's a common expression in games. You know, like when merchant troops or dance troops appear and attack the enemy in other games. They were mysterious beings whose whereabouts were unknown.

'Magical Night' is detailed in that regard. There were also sustained magic spells that could auto-attack and 'floating swords.' I used to say 'Pikin!' and 'Go, Sword Bits!' like a newbie.

'It's a matter of reality. In the game, there were also masked stats and skills.'

'Probably. But, at least with this, my mother should be safe. I want to do something for my father too.'

In the world of novels, intruders easily appear in front of the protagonists. Despite strict security, the protagonists are usually surprised. Standing in full armor is intimidating, but it's not effective against real intruders. The world of novels is terrifying. Guards are extremely weak against hidden intruders. The significance of guards is questionable.

In the house Miu is protecting, intruders will be detected without fail. The puppies will bark and alert the guards. If it comes to a fight, they will fight, but just detecting them is enough. Guards are strong physically. Once they find an intruder, they won't lose unless something extraordinary happens.

I shifted my gaze to Gery and Flexy, who were lying on their backs on their mother's lap, showing their bellies. They looked completely domesticated.

Mother smiled and stroked the puppies' bellies. Father, who had never had a pet, was also happily petting Flexy's belly. I understand. Pets are healing. Moreover, Gery and Flexy, who can understand human language, are smarter than any other dogs.

'It will be difficult for your father. But, there must be a way to do something.'

'Yeah, there's the reward from the Stampede.'

As Fligg said, the reward from the Stampede event, which included the King Mantis battle, was obtained after completing the event.

The reward was a strengthening crystal that could enhance weapons without materials. The number of crystals varied depending on how much damage was prevented, and I received the maximum of 10. There was also a fixed reward item.

'Armlet of Increased Vitality: Level 20, HP +50, Vitality +5'

Non-magicians like my father are weak. Ordinary citizens are always level 1. So, the expected HP is 12 to 8, based on the basic HP at level 1. I think it's different from my game-like nature, but it's better than nothing.

In addition, I plan to give another gift.

'Replica Dragon Ring: Level 5, Defense +5'

It looks like an ordinary iron ring to us. It's a ring that slightly increases defense, made with the 'Mechanic' job. It's a better item than nothing, and it should save ordinary people.

The mysterious investor plans to give this item to my father as a token of goodwill.

Incidentally, when ordinary people wear our equipment, the best performance is reflected. They can wear up to three items: rings, armlets, and necklaces. If they have multiple rings, the highest level and then the masked performance are prioritized.

...This is the result of the old man Odin's verification. So, it's still a hypothesis. The experiments were conducted using rats, not humans.

'With this, ...Hmm, it only leaves me with anxiety, but I think it's better.'

'It's also our weakness.'

'Weakness?'

'Yes. Probably, the residents of this world can wear multiple accessories that are not game-like. As long as they don't have conflicting effects. From historical research, Oda Nobunaga wore a crown, a circlet, rings on all his fingers, and a lot of necklaces. Most of his portraits show this.'

'Ah... He was cautious. But, doesn't that destroy the image of Oda Nobunaga? He looks like a vulgar nouveau riche man.'

He looked very unappealing. The current emperor didn't wear any equipment, probably valuing his image.

'He was probably also enjoying the reactions of others.'

'That's Nobunaga for you.'

Multiple accessories, huh? We can't wear them, can we? I'm envious. But, I don't see many people wearing a lot of accessories in modern times?

'Perhaps the technology to create excellent magical items was lost, or only Nobunaga could create such powerful magical items. In modern times, we have 'magical armor' with multiple effects, so bulky accessories have fallen out of use.'

'I see. 'Magical armor' has its advantages, but it also led to the loss of past technology.'

The rise and fall of technology is a common theme. By the way, old man, are you reading my mind? Well, it's fine.

'I'll collect accessories. Can I ask you, Fligg?'

'Sure, but doesn't your family have something to pass down?'

'Ah, you're right. When we arrive there soon?'

The magic limousine, which was floating and flying through the sky, was supposed to arrive in no time...

"Dad, Mom, I can see some smoke."

From the window, rising smoke could be seen. The vast garden, with trees that could be mistaken for a forest, and the large Western-style mansion were visible in the distance, but smoke was rising as if there had been a volcanic eruption.

Is it a grand welcome? Are they preparing a party for us?