Chapter 19

Thinking that his actions were for the best, everything backfired.

On the deck of the Partner.

The wind was cold, but I went outside because I didn't want to be alone in my room, where I would just think too much. However, even in the cold, my thoughts were still on Libia.

Luxion was floating beside me.

"Is she a pet? Indeed, the way you treated her seemed like you were dealing with a pet. You, who doted on your favorite game character, couldn't even argue back, right?"

"...Yeah."

The hateful AI doesn't try to comfort me.

His words cut deep into my heart.

"She was probably weak and vulnerable to real malice in the academy, and her mental state is unstable. There's no need to worry, I think."

"What do you think I am? I can get hurt too, you know."

"Master's heart is made of bulletproof glass. A little thing won't even scratch it, so it's fine."

"Is that so?"

I have experience from my previous life. I have my own way of dealing with things.

But... Libia's words stuck in my heart.

I shook my head.

"This is for the best. It was out of place for a minor character to reach out to the protagonist or the villainess. It was a good lesson."

"...Do you really think it's a good idea to back off here?"

"See it through to the end, huh? Stop joking. The protagonist rejected the pet treatment. I'll just look forward to her future success."

"You're sulking."

"...You're annoying."

When I was called sulking, I got angry. Being angry means I admit to myself that I am aware of it.

After a while, I spoke to Luxion.

"What was wrong with me?"

"The biggest mistake was giving up on your strategy early. As a result, you got involved in the story you mentioned. However, in this case... it seems that you hindered Olivia's growth."

"Hindered her growth? Come on, that's a joke. I helped her. With the dungeon in the academy and other things—"

Luxion didn't waver from his answer.

"Originally, she should have solved those problems on her own. In the short term, your help was a success. However, in the long term, it hindered Olivia's mental growth. She's right. Did you think of her as a pet? She must have been a cute and precious pet for you. In this world, she's a convenient girl for you."

"Damn you!"

I punched Luxion, and he was thrown back onto the deck, then slowly returned to me.

"...Do you feel better now?"

"I want to punch you again, but my hand hurts."

My face was flushed with anger. I waited for the cold air outside to calm me down.

"I'll keep saying it. This is necessary for you, Master. Even with your past life, you, who are like a child, need mental growth."

"Mental growth? I don't need it. Do you know the difference between an adult and a child?"

"In this case, if it's not physical... self-control, perhaps?"

"No, that's not it. The difference between an adult and a child is whether they can adapt to society. I'm well adapted to this world's norms, even with the power you have. I'm an adult."

Being well adapted, for better or worse, makes you an adult.

"...Even a story that might be touching, when said by you, sounds like a joke."

"Is that so?"

Feeling sulky, I sat down on the spot. Brad came out onto the deck, sword in hand, and looked at me with a very displeased expression.

Luxion hid behind my jacket.

"Practicing with the sword?"

Brad briefly said, "I'm borrowing the deck," and started practicing in the cold. His skill was far from impressive.

I was better.

"Why don't you practice magic? Your specialty is magic, right?"

Then, Brad was sweating.

He was taking it very seriously.

"I know that already!"

"Getting angry?"

Brad, who started practicing again, seemed distracted by my presence and couldn't concentrate.

"Do you practice every day?"

"Of course. It's a necessary condition to become a knight."

"It's not necessary."

"Bu, martial arts are necessary!"

Being good with a sword alone won't make you a knight. Unless you're a sword saint, you need to be good at everything.

Well, nobles automatically become knights.

"You can become a knight without doing that."

Brad flicked his bangs with his hand and said to me.

"To beat you someday! Until that day, we decided to work hard."

Work hard? I'll laugh.

What, you guys thought I would fight again?

"You're stupid. I won't fight you guys anymore. You'll be losers for life."

Then, Brad, looking regretful, resumed his practice.

"...Aren't you going to argue back?"

"If I had the time, I'd practice more. I'm... the weakest among the five of us."

...I ran my hand through my hair.

Brad was a character good at magic.

It could be said that he had no other talents. In the game, he was made to suffer. He was weak but always stepped forward, and on top of that, he would quickly sink. I had thought many times, "Please don't step forward."

"You should focus on your strengths."

"I'm already doing that! But... I don't want to lose."

Brad revealed his inner thoughts.

"...I want Marié to see me."

"What's so good about her? She's a short, flat-chested girl."

"It's not about her appearance! It's about her character!"

I wanted to tell him that her character was the worst. But he wouldn't listen even if I told him.

Then, a robot that floated from inside the ship came out, holding two wooden swords, and handed them to Brad and me before leaving.

Brad was creeped out.

"W-What is that iron lump?"

His legs were shaking, and he was backing away. I remember, he was a coward. He hadn't seen the robots inside the ship yet and seemed scared.

However, there were just two wooden swords.

Brad pointed the tip of the wooden sword at me.

"Let's fight, Baltfalt!"

"I don't want to. It's cold."

Brad was stomping his feet in frustration.

But, he kept glancing at me while practicing, so I decided to have one match to show him he couldn't win.

Brad was delighted.

"Come on!"

"Why are you happy to fight in your weak area? Are you stupid?"

"My grades in theory are better than yours! Anyway, it's good to be able to challenge you."

Saying that, Brad took a stance, but it was proper, as he had been practicing.

When I stepped in and struck, he easily backed off and lost his balance. He didn't seem to have much talent.

"What's wrong?"

I struck him repeatedly, and Brad wobbled.

However, once—Brad's large step forward and left upward slash. The sword, coming from below at a diagonal, was unexpectedly powerful and threw me off balance.

"---!"

I think it was a simple mistake.

Brad, feeling confident, stepped forward.

"Let's press on---ouch!"

He stepped in carelessly, and I closed the distance, hitting him on the head with the handle, making him crouch on the spot.

"...You're still an idiot, aren't you?"

"Damn... I thought I could do it."

I think he still has more talent with a spear. During the duel, he released sharp thrusts.

Brad stood up and, apparently finished with his practice, went back inside the ship.

"Next time, for sure."

Holding his head, I watched Brad go back and looked at the wooden sword.

When I swung it, it had been a while.

"Wow, I can't swing it anymore. Come to think of it, I haven't touched it outside of class."

Before leaving home, I was made to practice, but since coming to the academy, I had been slacking off.

Luxion, who had been hiding, reappeared.

"You seem to be having fun."

"Going out of your way to cause trouble... The robot brought the wooden swords at your request, didn't it?"

"Yes."

Pointing the tip of the wooden sword at the night sky, the stars were shining beautifully.

"...They're thinking about a lot of things too."

◇

The next day.

The morning, without an answer, was the worst.

Greg was eating the food on the table greedily, while Brad was eating elegantly...

"Men are so crude in the morning."

Libia was holed up in her room, so Luxion had been bringing her meals.

Greg wiped his mouth.

"I don't want to see your face in the morning either. Anyway, what do you plan to do? The main force of the pirates is still around, right?"

The pirates were still around, and he was asking whether we would stay and fight or run away.

It would be fine to wait until the second year if it were a game, but since I got involved, I want to crush them now. They would be a big hindrance during the war.

I strike when I can.

"We have the location. But, we'll wait a little longer before boarding—"

Then, Luxion reported.

"Master, it seems the pirates are attacking us."

Standing up and looking out the window, the two of them were looking at me tensely.

"They moved faster than expected."

To such a me, the two of them spoke up.

Greg said to me,

"Baltfalt, even a broken armor will do. Lend it to me."

Brad also had a serious expression.

"I found some usable armor yesterday."

What are you going to do with broken armor?

"No way. I can't let you use such defective goods. You guys, think about your positions—"

Greg bowed his head.

"Please! I know I'll be a burden to you. But, I can't just stand by and watch."

Brad also bowed to me.

"It's a selfish request. I know. The broken armor is also yours—yours. But, just a little. Please lend it to me."

I was about to refuse, but I turned my face away at the sight of their straightforward gazes and attitudes.

"I'll check it once. After that, do as you please."

"I'll be grateful!"

"I'll show you that I can be useful this time!"

Luxion, without waiting for my words, said,

"Then, I'll start the supply and maintenance."

He said that.

...He's really a pain. He's so capable that it makes me angry.

It's hard to dislike him.

◇

The outside became noisy.

Libia, who had been sitting on the floor, stood up and looked out the window.

"The Partner is moving..."

Libia, who had been dazed, gradually became more aware as she felt the ship's movement.

What her tear-swollen eyes saw was Leon riding the Arrogant and fighting in the sky.

"Mr. Leon?"

Looking outside the window, the same kind of airships as the pirates from yesterday were coming in.

There were five of them.

One of the airships, which was particularly large, was about 300 meters in size.

When the cannons lined up on the side spewed fire, cannonballs rained down on the Partner.

"Ah!"

She clutched her head and crouched down, but the Partner was protected by a faint light and was not damaged.

"Amazing..."

As Libia watched the scene outside, Leon charged at the enemy flagship.

He was destroying the masts of the airship, which had sail-like structures.

Libia felt relieved at the sight, but then she felt depressed.

(I did such a thing to Mr. Leon... But, I...)

Libia, who was worrying,