Chapter 81

Ainhorn Harbor.

Stepping out onto the deck, I was talking with Luxion—

"Hey, did you build two Ainhorns?"

"It was Cléa who擅自建造的。我认为改造我设计的Ainhorn并随意使用维修零件是不可原谅的，你不这么认为吗？"

"Well, Anje might dislike the color of Recornu, but white suits Libia, so it's fine."

"Master, you should take a stricter approach."

"You're right. ——Well, let's hear your thoughts."

During the night spent on the ship, Luxion had been quite active.

"It appears that Serge acted on his own, but I believe he was influenced by Ideal."

"——Go on."

"Initially, Serge proposed to befriend you. It seems Ideal was guiding him."

Military affiliation.

A spaceship that experienced the war with the new humans.

Luxion believed it was inconceivable for Ideal to be more docile than himself.

"Is this just your assumption?"

"Ideal is guiding Serge. In fact, Ideal selects the information to be delivered to Serge. You might not know, but the ones who sold your information to the Republic were the nobles who fled from the kingdom. 'The Lady's Forest'—do you remember?"

"A name I can't forget even if I want to."

"It's possible that biased information was intentionally conveyed."

"That's why he's disliked. Well, if I were Serge, I probably wouldn't trust you either."

"I wouldn't do what Ideal does."

"Really?"

"——I'm curious about how you evaluate me."

No matter how much I try to justify it, I'm a murderer.

I can understand why you want to keep your distance.

Even if I know it's against the values of this world, I can't adapt.

"What do they plan to do next?"

"There are several possible responses regarding the Sacred Tree, but the future is clear. Ideal will move towards the extermination of the new humans, regardless of the Sacred Tree."

"You guys are too extreme."

Artificial intelligences are all extreme.

"Bringing Léa into the group was likely to mate with her master."

I almost burst out laughing, but Luxion calmly stated it.

"It's important. Ideally, I would have recommended Marié as your marriage partner. She has a strong genetic heritage from the old humans."

"No way. That's just a story in fiction."

"There are many real-life examples. It's not just a story in fiction. Physically, they are not related, so it's not incest."

From the age of mythology, there have been examples of siblings—apparently.

I remember hearing about it too.

"Right. But I wouldn't. I can't see Marié as a woman—she's my sister."

She's not a woman—she's my sister.

"I'm disappointed. What I meant was that Ideal likely thinks the same way."

Desiring the genes of the old humans.

Using reincarnated individuals for that purpose—wait a minute?

"Hey, could he be after our genetic information?"

"You're sharp today. That's correct. It's likely that he will search for reincarnated individuals. It would be convenient if Serge became the king of this world. And the reason he didn't finish you off is probably because he needed a living sample."

"A living sample?"

"A sample for human experimentation. It's not absolutely necessary, but reincarnated individuals are valuable. Clones wouldn't work, and he likely wanted to secure them alive."

—That's terrible.

More importantly, there are only two of us in the Republic—currently, only me and Marié in the kingdom.

I can't imagine Ideal being satisfied with just four people.

◇

León's room.

Angé, who had woken up, realized she was in León's bed.

"León!"

Panicking, she checked her surroundings, but León was nowhere to be found.

However, Libia was nearby, sitting in a chair with a serious expression.

"Libia, did something happen to León?"

Libia, startled by Angé's voice, shook her head after a moment.

"No, he's on the deck."

"Okay. Then it's fine. I'm relieved. Really relieved."

But Libia's expression was not good.

"Is something wrong? Could there be any aftereffects!?"

When Libia shook her head, Angé felt relieved.

But—

"Angé, is there any connection between León and Marié? I heard they might be siblings."

Angé tilted her head.

"What are you talking about? That's impossible."

"But what if they are separated siblings?"

Angé couldn't understand what Libia was trying to say.

"I can definitively say that's not the case."

"None. The Bartheoldt family and the Laufan viscount family have no connection. ——Or so I thought."

Angé began to doubt her own answer.

There shouldn't be any connection, but Marié called León "big brother."

"Where is Marié? I'll talk to her directly."

"She went to the mansion to get her belongings."

"Then I'll talk to her when she returns. I want to talk to León too, but I want to let him rest for now."

After such a crushing defeat, they thought he must be depressed.

◇

"I'm hungry. Give me something to eat."

"Master, you seem energetic. Aren't you nervous about the strong enemy?"

"Living means being hungry."

On the deck, talking with Luxion, I was hungry.

"Isn't it too relaxed that Noelle was taken away? To Ideal, Noelle is a tool to gain Léa's trust. She's not very important, but—"

"To the Republic, she's a young priestess. They won't do anything too harsh."

As long as Noelle is safe, it's fine.

If they do anything, I'll—

While thinking, the noise below grew louder.

Looking down, I saw the Republic soldiers preparing to inspect the Ainhorn. The captain who had inspected us before, now bandaged, was leading them.

"That captain is still energetic."

"Seems quite happy. Maybe he heard that you lost and came to get revenge?"

I went down to respond.

Near the entrance, the head maid was arguing with the captain.

"Coming without permission is rude!"

"We're conducting an inspection. This is the Republic of Alzelle. Shouldn't the weak from the kingdom show the appropriate attitude? Or do you not understand that you lost to us?"

"—You did it like an ambush."

The Republic's lower ranks were as energetic as ever.

When I appeared, the captain smiled.

"I've been waiting, viscount. Let's inspect this airship thoroughly—"

Behind the captain, a tall, well-built man in a hat stood.

"Perhaps you should step back."

As the well-built man removed his hat, the captain turned around—

"Who are you! Telling me what to do—uh, that, the, the—"

His voice suddenly became small, and he started trembling. The well-built man said,

"Don't interfere. I gave the order not to, didn't I?"

Alberich, one of the six great nobles, arrived with a few subordinates.

The captain, foaming at the mouth, was dragged away by his subordinates.

When Alberich saw me,

"I apologize. I want to apologize for my son's actions. Can we talk for a moment?"

"Invading my airship like this, you have some nerve."

A fitting final boss, I suppose.

I led him to the reception room.

◇

The reception room of the Ainhorn, which had been messed up by Pierre and his group, was now back to normal thanks to the robots.

In this reception room, I was facing the second final boss—

"Are you really just here to apologize?"

—I couldn't believe my ears.

"Yes. I genuinely feel sorry about my son's actions."

"While you're at it, I want an apology for what happened earlier. A subordinate's actions are the responsibility of their superior. As the leader, it's only natural."

"Hitting a sore spot. I'll apologize for that too—this time, I was extremely rude. I'm sorry."

Words are easy to say.

But I don't understand why he came to see me.

What is his purpose?

"As a parent, I feel responsible for my son's actions."

"But you can't apologize officially?"

The reason for his secret visit—like Eriq's father.

Because of pride, the Republic can't officially apologize.

"—From your perspective as a foreigner, it's probably hard to understand."

"It seems you're trivializing international issues."

For a moment, I remembered beating up Pierre, but since he started it, it's fine.

—Probably.

"The Republic is like that. I also feel bad about the Kingdom of Holfaart."

No official apology. But he came to apologize as a parent.

"I want Noelle and the young priestess back."

"—That's not possible. She's already known to be a survivor of the Respinaus family. The six great nobles will do anything to protect her."

"Because she's a priestess?"

"Yes. I know you were chosen as her guardian. I wanted to build a friendly relationship with you. I should have known you earlier."

To use me, who is seen as a rogue?

Did he get some ideas from Ideal?

"I'm just a minor rogue. I can't live up to your expectations."

"Then what will my country, which lost to a minor rogue, be called?"

After a moment of silence, Alberich stood up.

"The Fauver family is trying to capture you. Some families are aligning with them. If you want to escape, do it quickly."

"Are you letting us escape?"

"I personally have no intention of fighting the kingdom. If you want war, I'll just defend."

His personal opinion, huh.

Is the final boss trying to appear moderate?

"Then let me hear it. I want to know your personal thoughts. What do you want for the future of the Republic—?"

Alberich, still facing away from me, spoke.

But he didn't answer my question.

"—I envy you. No, I envy the kingdom you're in."

◇

On the way back from the port to his territory, Alberich was thinking about his conversation with León.

In the airship's lounge, only Alberich and a few subordinates were present.

A subordinate asked a question.

"Alberich-sama, there was no need to apologize."

—Alberich's head hurt.

(Do they understand the gravity of the situation? No, they probably don't.)

The Republic could always be assertive because of the Sacred Tree.

So, losing once was a good lesson.

Or so he thought—

Serge restored the Republic's pride.

As a result, the nobles of the Republic were in a feverish mood, convinced that they had no enemies.

But the way he restored their pride was pathetic.

(Serge, don't disappoint me.)

Thinking about the future, Alberich's head hurt even more.

◇

After Alberich left the Ainhorn, I was talking with Angé about our next move.

"León, are you planning to stay put? The Republic is definitely moving to capture us. That Serge, the Lost Item armor wielder, will come."

"—Yeah."

"Aroquants is probably under repair. I have to bring you back by force. The country—no, I need you."

I didn't know what to say to Angé, who was looking down.

—Always like this.

I always hesitate.

Even though I got Luxion, I keep worrying.

I envy Serge.

We could abandon the Republic as it is.

With Serge, they can handle the Sacred Tree's rampage.

But the problem is—Ideal.

He's too dangerous.

"The problem is Serge. Will he be satisfied with just ruling the Republic?"

I didn't mention Ideal's name, just Serge's—because I thought it would be easier for Angé to understand.

Talking about Luxion and the others would take time, and I'm not sure if she would believe it.

Angé put her hand on her chin.

"I don't know anything about that man. He has the same Lost Item as Luxion. I can't judge. But—"

"But?"

"That man is like a child who idolizes heroes from fairy tales."

"Isn't it normal for a man to idolize heroes?"

"Not in that sense. He's not grounded. It's also a problem that he just called León a rogue."

I think of myself as a rogue.

—Because I've killed a lot.

"I'm a rogue."

"You're too kind. Libia is the same. Kindness is a virtue, but if a leader can't be a rogue, it's a problem."

This is a difference in values.

In my previous life—Japan, Angé and I have different values.

War is bad. Killing is bad.

Taught that way, and thinking it's true, I can't accept many of this world's values.

Wars, including minor conflicts, happen frequently.

If you're drafted for war, you have to kill.

I know Japan had such a time, but I really understood it when I participated in a war here.

Fools don't understand until they experience it, right?

I realized how happy my previous life was after reincarnating.

"I didn't want to be a rogue. I didn't want to fall into hell."

"I'll follow you, so don't worry. Getting back to the topic, I don't think a man who just calls León a rogue has the ability to govern a country."

Wait, is this a huge compliment?

I don't know how to react.

"Am I being complimented?"

"Ah, fool! I'm just stating the truth. But, you have qualities that Serge lacks. Don't worry about losing."

—If the kingdom knew I lost, what would they think?

Roland would laugh and be happy.

I find that frustrating.

"—Master has qualities, huh."

"Ugh! You, be more considerate. Don't just appear suddenly!"

Angé was also surprised, her face turning red.

"Don't scare me!"

Luxion suddenly appeared and interrupted our conversation.

"Sorry. But I have a message. Cléa wants you to come to Marié's mansion quickly."

I narrowed my eyes.

"The Republic's people are already moving? Luxion, let's go help—"

"—No, it's not that urgent."

Luxion's response was hesitant.