Chapter 51

7/21 This is the second post of the day.

Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

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Yagovf and I were alone in a room at the inn, as Amanda and Peyro had returned home due to the complexity of the conversation. Yagovf seemed to have bought a bottle of wine from the innkeeper and started pouring it into glasses as he began to speak.

"Well, first, I need to decide where to start... but before that, there's something I want to confirm."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Earlier, Loki mentioned that he has only been in this world for about a month, right? Is that correct?"

"Yes, that's right. I found myself in the middle of the Palmera Great Forest, and the first human settlement I visited was this town of Bezart."

"Is there any possibility that your memories before that are missing?"

"I don't think so. I still have clear memories of the moments right before I was sent from my previous world."

"Hmm... In that case, it seems that Loki, despite being similar to other interworlders, is fundamentally different..."

I recalled the conversation with the goddesses.

The goddesses said they bring the souls of the deceased from Earth to this world to advance civilization.

In other words, they are reincarnated into this world.

In contrast, I was transferred and started in this world in a half-formed state.

That's why I was treated as an outsider.

The inconsistency between what the goddesses said and the discomfort Yagovf feels seems to align.

"The difference between transfer and reincarnation, you mean."

"Transfer and reincarnation... those terms fit well. It's a known fact that interworlders exist in this world. They're even the subject of songs, so even children know about them. But if we use Loki's distinction, all interworlders are reincarnated, and I don't know of a single person who claims to be transferred."

"Based on my guess, they aren't non-existent; they just haven't been found. That's why there are relics in the Palmera Great Forest."

"So, all transferred individuals are dead?"

"I can't say for sure. I don't know how many were sent to this world. But I managed to escape the forest, which was a constant struggle with death. If I had been sent to the Palmera Great Forest, I would have likely died and left relics behind."

"So, there might still be relics somewhere in Palmera... You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but you mentioned having a goal earlier, right?"

"It's simple: 'escape.' My initial goal was to get out of the forest and reach a human settlement to survive."

"I see... Now it all makes sense. I apologize for the trouble I caused when I summoned you. I was overthinking things."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought all interworlders were reincarnated. So, I assumed Loki was likely a reincarnated individual and that there was a high possibility of causing significant harm to this town... I was quite cautious."

"Wait, are reincarnated individuals viewed that way in this world?"

It seems different from what the goddesses think.

"There are four people in this continent who openly claim to be interworlders. Each of them possesses special abilities, and it's no exaggeration to say that these four—well, three of them—are running the world."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Opinions vary. But wealth has concentrated in a few hands, and prominent military power has led to the seizure of other countries' territories. In the past five years, wars have become frequent."

"I see..."

I can imagine the overconfident behavior of those with incredible skills.

As someone who didn't get such abilities, I can't help but clench my fists.

"But isn't it also true that innovative things have been created, making people's lives more convenient and prosperous?"

"I won't deny that. It's true to some extent. However, most of what they do is long-distance transportation, which is called 'transfer' in some circles. They transport vast amounts of goods instantly between specific countries, amassing enormous wealth. While some benefit from this, many merchants and transporters have lost their jobs. To enable transfers, countries must become vassal states of the reincarnated individuals' countries. The ultimate goal is to seize other countries' territories."

"When something innovative is born, it's natural for old things and systems to be phased out. But it still feels forceful and like a part of a power struggle."

"Most of the upper echelons in various countries probably think similarly to Loki. The Elgrante Kingdom and the Velphrea Empire use military power to seize land, while the Albert Kingdom uses logistics and wealth. The Elyon Republic is considered a neutral zone. If things continue, the four countries with reincarnated individuals will likely remain, and the rest will be annexed."

"Could you tell me, for reference, which reincarnated individuals are in which countries?"

"Sure, within my knowledge... The four reincarnated individuals I know of are quite free-spirited, for better or worse."

The largest country in the northwest of the continent, the Elgrante Kingdom, has a reincarnated individual named Takuya, the crown prince. He is known as 'Hero Takuya.'

He is the most famous among the confirmed interworlders, and even I have heard of him as the one who defeated 'Demon King Loki.'

However, when I asked if he really defeated the 'Demon King Loki,' he said it was a fictional story, and there was no such demon king.

It's quite impressive that he can make himself the protagonist of a made-up story...

Incidentally, my using the name 'Loki' made Yagovf even more suspicious.

Among the reincarnated individuals, he is considered the most decent, and there are no reports of him killing people indiscriminately. However, he is famous for taking in beautiful women, regardless of their nationality, making him a confirmed harem guy.

Yagovf has met this Hero Takuya, who taught him the phrase "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down" from the other world. Perhaps he was expressing his feelings at the time.

Next is the Velphrea Empire, located in the southwest of the continent, which is in constant conflict with the Elgrante Kingdom. The small countries between them have mostly been absorbed, and they have been at war for the past five years.

The reincarnated individual in the Velphrea Empire is the current marshal, 'Shiva.'

From the name, it seems like he chose it the same way I did, and it's unlikely to be his real name.

Like Hero Takuya, who should have received a name in this world from his parents, do reincarnated individuals have a habit of changing their names?

It's unclear if Shiva is Japanese.

Unlike Hero Takuya, he is known for killing women and children without mercy and is so terrifying that even ordinary soldiers kneel in fear. He is considered the most dangerous among the reincarnated individuals.

The third power is the Albert Kingdom in the east of the continent, which has become wealthy due to skill-based logistics.

However, it's not the country itself but the reincarnated individual, 'Marie,' who is a noble and has amassed incredible wealth, influencing the king to the point where he can't say anything.

The Albert Kingdom has vassal states at the western end of the continent, providing war supplies to both major powers, inciting wars, and amassing wealth.

The countries in the central part of the continent are suffering from reduced tolls and taxes on goods due to the existence of Marie, but they can't easily become vassal states, so they can only watch the situation unfold.

The last mysterious country is the Elyon Republic in the southeast of the continent. Originally, it was a country inhabited by beastmen, but now it is led by a human named 'Hans,' who openly claims to be a reincarnated individual.

He is famous for controlling multiple powerful monsters, though he is not warlike. He has a significant military force.

In the past, the empire tried to attack from the sea, but was quickly defeated by a large army of monsters. Since then, the country has been recognized as one that will retaliate fiercely if provoked, and all countries are on high alert.

I thought that if they don't provoke, there's no need to be cautious, but apparently, there's a rumor that countries with beastman slaves are suddenly attacked, so the nobles and merchants who own slaves are living in fear.

However, based on what I've heard, he seems uninterested in war and territorial disputes, making him the least problematic among the four.

Hmm... Yagovf is impressive.

As a guild master, he must exchange information with other guilds in different countries.

While his information is subjective, it's still worth noting the discrepancy between the impression of interworlders from the goddesses' perspective and the perspective of the people living in this world.

I'll keep this in mind, but I don't plan to do anything about it. I'm not a savior of this world, and I don't have the ability to change anything.

So, I'll focus on my role-playing.

I'll hunt monsters diligently to become stronger. For now, I just want to fulfill my desire to become stronger, and I believe it will help me defend myself if something happens.

In that sense, even without a cheat ability, I'm in the same boat as those four, living as I please.

While I was thinking about this, Yagovf spoke again.

"Loki, be careful."

"Of the reincarnated individuals, right? I'll avoid getting involved. For now, I'll stay away from the eastern and western parts of the continent—"

"That's not what I mean. Be cautious of the movements of all countries, regardless of their size."

"Huh?"

"I won't pry into your abilities, as promised... but other countries will. Even this Lagriess Kingdom thinks that attracting interworlders will make them a strong nation, and it's true in this world."

"So, I'll receive invitations from various countries?"

"Yes. Once they know you're an interworlder, they'll use every means to get you. They might offer you prestigious positions and wealth, but some might try to force you."

"Ugh..."

"Many countries without interworlders are struggling due to invasions and economic impacts. If you're satisfied with wealth and prestige, that's one thing, but from your expression, I don't think that's the case."

Yagovf looked at me with a penetrating gaze, and I nodded honestly.

"You're right... I don't dislike wealth and prestige, but my growth is more important."

"Then you should hide your identity as an interworlder as much as possible. But hunting like this will inevitably draw attention, and they'll eventually figure it out. It's up to you how to balance it."

I looked up, feeling conflicted.

I don't want to hold back.

But if I don't, I might get involved in trouble...

"There are rumors of interworlders who live quietly without revealing their identity. That's an option—"

"Yagovf, I won't hold back. I tried to imagine it, but it's not in my nature."

"True. Given your progress, it was a foolish question. So—"

"I don't mind normal invitations, but if they try to force me, I'll have to fight back."

It's the same as in a game.

If a clear enemy appears, I'll do my best to defeat them.

"Seeing Adent and the others, I understand... But I'm a resident of this world. I'm not too worried, but please don't involve innocent people. If you do, I'll have to reveal that you're an interworlder to warn others, even if it means risking my life."

"I have no intention of doing that. I just want to hunt monsters and become stronger. If anyone interferes with that, I'll deal with it."

Yagovf finished the remaining wine and sighed, "That's reassuring, but—"

He probably wants me to live quietly, within reason.

After hearing about the prominence of interworlders, I can understand his concern.

But—I want to aim for the strongest.

I don't have cheat abilities, blessings, or even a job, but...

This is a world where effort pays off.

I want to do my best.

(I'll try not to cause trouble...)

With that thought, the conversation came to an end.