Chapter 23

The recovery of the lost items was going smoothly.

I entered the dilapidated castle ruins, cleared out the monsters, and now I'm talking with Luxion in front of the treasure.

I was looking at the bullet I had in my hand.

In the game, it was a special item, but whether it would be useful here is—questionable.

"Can this be used?"

"It might be possible with modifications, but considering its performance—"

There are some items that might be useful, but if not, I intend to have Luxion and the others modify them for use.

Still, my knowledge of the game is quite vague.

The recovery of the lost items took longer than expected.

"Fact—how are your companions doing?"

The revived weapons on the side of the old humans.

Their artificial intelligences are managed by Fact, the AI of the massive air carrier.

"There is a five percent delay from the schedule."

"What's the cause?"

"It's due to my insufficient capabilities."

Even the omnipotent Luxion has its limits.

If there were no time constraints, it would surely have been able to repair everything perfectly.

"If you can't do it, I'll give up."

As I said this and stood up, Luxion spoke to me.

"Master—"

But it moved one of its eyes towards the entrance.

Thinking something was coming, I raised my gun, and then—

"I found it!"

"Your Highness, this way!"

—Daniel and Raymond appeared.

Julius was coming from behind them.

"What are you guys doing here?"

Lowering my gun, the three of them approached me.

Daniel looked tired.

"Your Highness asked me to. He said it was your crisis."

Raymond felt the same way.

"I heard you were adventuring alone. What are you doing at a time like this? Everyone is worried."

With the war against the empire approaching, the students are anxious because I'm not around.

Usually, they hate me, but they rely on me in times like these.

"I have my reasons. More importantly, why are my friends here with you?"

Looking at Julius, he was out of breath from rushing here.

"I—asked Claire for the location. Baltfalt, I'm here to bring you back."

I was taken aback by Julius's words.

"Huh?"

"I'm here to bring you back! You're—planning to fight alone, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Daniel and Raymond were surprised.

"What? No, even you can't do it this time."

"It's the empire, for crying out loud!"

Facing the two of them, Julius said to me.

"I heard everything from Marie. Baltfalt, we—will lend you our strength."

"—What did you just say?"

Julius said he heard everything from Marie, and I felt bitter.

How much did that stupid sister of mine tell them?

Julius looked at Daniel and Raymond.

"Sorry. Let me talk to him alone."

They nodded and moved away, and Julius looked me straight in the eye.

As always, these guys are unnecessarily handsome when they're quiet.

Their usual actions ruin everything.

"Baltfalt—you're Marie's brother, right?"

Hearing this, I was momentarily confused. But then I felt annoyed with Marie.

"Did she tell you?"

She blurted out that she's a reincarnated person.

What a reckless sister.

I had just started to think better of her after she helped me recover items, but now my opinion of her has dropped again.

"Marie was worried about you. She asked us to help you."

"—You believed Marie?"

I sighed and put my hand on my forehead.

Are these guys really okay?

If Marie told them the truth, it means she revealed that we were siblings in our previous lives.

I wouldn't believe it if I were in their shoes.

But they seem to be different.

"Of course. Marie told us seriously. It would be strange not to believe her."

"I think it's strange to believe her. You guys—because of that, you get deceived by Marie. You don't know her true nature, so you can say that."

The pitiful group, Julius and the others, were deceived by the reincarnated Marie and lost their status and wealth.

I tried to tell them to be more skeptical, but—Julius grabbed my collar and lifted me up.

He got close and glared at me.

"Let go."

I glared back, but Julius didn't back down.

"Take it back. What do you mean by 'Marie, that kind of person'? Marie is—important to us."

He still hasn't woken up.

"How do you know her story is true? It could be her delusion."

"Look at Marie's eyes!"

"You can't tell that much from someone's eyes. You're mistaken. That's why you guys are no good."

Easily deceived, they've taken a different path from what they should have.

Seeing them, I felt pity.

Poor guys, deceived by Marie.

But if they care this much about Marie—maybe it's okay.

"Yeah, that's right! We are indeed blind! We've caused trouble for others."

"If you understand that—"

"But Marie didn't abandon us!"

"What, so—"

What is he trying to say?

As I thought this, Julius started talking about Marie.

"We might have been deceived at first. But Marie didn't abandon us. She didn't abandon us, and she pulled us through."

Is that her way of atoning for her sins?

"Right. You guys are no good. That's why you don't need to help me."

I don't want to involve them in the war against the empire.

If they care this much about Marie, they'll probably protect her in the future.

"—Baltfalt, are you serious? Do you really intend to fight the empire alone? Even Luxion and the others aren't sure they can win! Why don't you rely on me!"

I'm not alone. I have Luxion and the others. Besides,

"It's because you guys are no good! Or what? Are you going to fight in my place? Who do you think I'm suffering for!"

I was angry at Julius and the others, who didn't know anything.

Why do I have to bear this burden?

Why do I have to fight a war I don't want to?

It's because of these guys!

I pushed Julius away and started cursing, more than I thought I had stored up.

"Do you know how much I've suffered while you guys were living carefree? I've suffered for Marie's mistakes, and for your mistakes—plus, your country has made me suffer! How much—"

If these guys were more competent, I wouldn't have to fight the war.

I could have lived a peaceful life as a nobody.

—I know it's a misdirection.

Even if Julius and the others were competent, I understand that things would still end up this way.

But I can't stand it.

Julius listened to me in silence.

"What good are you? If you can't do anything, just shut up."

That would be better.

Then, Julius raised his fist and hit me.

Taking a few steps back, Julius raised his voice.

"Yeah, that's right! We're no good! But Marie cried and begged us to help you. If that's the case, it's a man's duty to respond to that!"

He dropped his gun and clenched his fist.

"Don't act all high and mighty when you can't do anything! You guys are only good for being meat shields!"

I hit Julius's cheek, and he hit me back.

"Then I'll be a meat shield or whatever!"

"Even if you die!"

Julius headbutted me, and we ended up with our foreheads touching.

He looked genuinely angry.

"Are you! Are you not going to die!"

"..."

When I didn't respond, Julius raised his fist again.

"No one has asked you to die!"

I felt angry at Julius for saying that.

"Then you do it! You do it so I don't have to do anything!"

"I would if I could! But since I can't—"

I punched Julius in the stomach, and he looked in pain.

But he didn't stop.

"Marie doesn't want you to die!"

If that were possible, I wouldn't have to suffer.

I don't want to die either.

"You guys are no good!"

"Still!"

Luxion just watched us punch each other.

I could see Daniel and Raymond hesitating to stop us from a distance.

Julius tackled me, grabbed my collar, and pushed me down.

Straddling me, Julius's eyes were red.

"I—I'm glad I met Marie."

I thought he was going to start talking about his love for her again.

"But I'm glad I met you too. If you die, I'll feel bad too."

What is he saying?

"—I'm not happy to hear that from a guy."

"Stop teasing me!"

When I teased him, Julius, who was crying, got even angrier.

"Sure, we're no good. But still! We've decided to help you. Not just because Marie asked us. —Baltfalt—no, Leon, we want to help you."

"—You guys are just in the way."

To prevent them from participating, I lied, and Luxion interjected.

"No, their strength is necessary. Master, you should use their help."

"Luxion, you—"

I thought it was unnecessary.

But Luxion had a different opinion.

"This is a problem for everyone in the kingdom. It's presumptuous for you to bear it alone."

When I fell silent, Julius stood up and extended his hand.

"You can't argue with that, can you? If the war with the empire can't be avoided, we can't just stand by. Even if you don't want us to, we'll participate. If that happens, won't it be a problem for you?"

Indeed, it would be a nuisance if they joined and got in the way.

I took Julius's hand.

I should just run away, but what a fool.

"I'll use you, so be prepared. You'll definitely regret it."

"We're used to regretting things with you. Besides, it's not just us. Zirk and the others are also moving."

Hearing this, I felt anxious.

"I hope they're not doing something unnecessary again."

"That won't be clear until we get back. More importantly, the people of the kingdom are worried because you're not there. It's better to return and reassure them. You're our hope."

He said such an embarrassing line.

I was impressed despite myself.

—But the recovery of the lost items is almost complete.

I should return quickly.

I'm worried that the other four might cause trouble, and I'm concerned that Marie might do something unnecessary.

◇

On the way back.

Inside the airship Einhorn, I decided to talk to Daniel and Raymond.

I told them various things, but I felt a bit envious of Marie, who was accepted after telling everything.

If they believed me without doubt like Julius and the others—such thoughts crossed my mind, but Leon and Marie are different, so it's impossible.

Raymond was trembling.

"Even Leon isn't sure if he can win—how strong is it?"

I honestly told them that I, who had always won, might not win this time.

If there's a chance to win, it's only about thirty percent, and it would require a desperate effort.

"—That's why I'm not telling you to participate this time."

Daniel was flustered in front of me.

"Is—is this one of your usual jokes? You always say you can't win, but you actually have a chance, right?"

I've used them quite a bit, but I couldn't force them to participate this time.

"If you participate, be prepared to die. That's why I'm not telling you to participate. If you value your life, it's better to run."

The two of them looked down.

Raymond's glasses were askew.

"What kind of survival competition is this? I don't understand this talk about old humans and new humans."

Daniel was holding his head.

"I can't deal with this all of a sudden!"

In front of the two of them, I shrugged.

"I'm in a bind too. Thanks to this, I have to fight a war I don't want to. But—our enemy's leader must be eliminated, or we can't survive."

Daniel covered his face with one hand.

"What can we do about this?"

"Do what you want. If you participate, I don't have the capacity to protect you."

Raymond looked at me.

"Why are you fighting? Leon can run, right?"

Running would only lead to a slow death.

This planet will eventually be destroyed, and even if I escape to space, the chances of finding a safe place are low.

Besides, Luxion can't save everyone.

"You guys can run. You don't have to stick with me."

When I said this, the two of them looked dejected.

Daniel looked regretful.

"Why are you telling us we can run at such an important time? You've been—damn it."

Raymond had a blank expression.

"That's how bad the situation is, right? It would have been better if you had deceived us like before."

No matter how much I try, I can't deceive them in this situation.

These guys, who usually—well, it's fine.

"Tell everyone I'm sorry. The contract—the promise, I might not be able to keep it, you know."