Chapter 271

I turned on the TV to take a break and sat idly in my chair.

The news was covering the cancellation of the academy fair and the emergence of the Erosion Zone.

[Hours after the incident, the Restraid Knights collaborated with the Federal Army’s special forces to eliminate a large number of mutated monsters, including the variants, and rescue civilians.]

Perhaps due to timely monetary favors, the news was filled with praises for the Restraid Clan.

[Regarding the recent situation, a parliament spokesperson extolled it as an ‘excellent operation born from swift decisiveness,’ asserting that only powerful and resolute responses can protect humanity. Meanwhile, Senator Remar criticized the military’s incompetent handling, stirring controversy with radical statements…]

The screen displayed the interior of the parliament. The senator, dressed in a suit as seen on TV last time, raised his fist and raised his voice in a speech in front of the reporters.

[“In the end, it is the clan that solves the problem! The military always just demands budgets, but what kind of state is this? What have the generals been doing all this time? We should take this opportunity to demilitarize and entrust security to the clans-“] [“Shut your mouth! No matter how much you claim to be a hunter, there is a limit to your partisanship!”]

[“Hey, Congressman Servin! You must think this is still a military base, but please do not act like a general in the sacred parliament. What has the Federal Army brought us so far? Victorious news? No, it’s annihilation, retreat, defeat! What have they been doing until now? Spending taxes and gathering people just to yield failures, isn’t there any apology on your part as a military veteran?”]

[“Shut up! How dare you, a mere hunter, insult the honor of the military? Aviss Remar! I challenge you to a duel!”]

[“Oh, do it then!”]

The screen transitioned just as the congressmen were throwing their gloves in front of the parliament. Politics sure was entertaining.

“I want to be a politician too!”

“Is that possible?”

Entering the parliament isn’t easy.

Congress members are chosen through recommendations, not elections. Especially becoming a senator responsible for key decision-making in the federation is exceptionally difficult.

To become a senatorial candidate, recommendations must come from a chairman, a regional commander of the Federal Army, generals of four stars or higher, an aristocratic family, and major clans.

Even after receiving such recommendations, several evaluations are required before one can don the congressional badge.

“What about Cascadia?”

“I heard they lost their recommendation rights a few years ago?”

Oh no, the option of asking Sister Adela for a recommendation was gone.

Even if it were possible, Sister Adela’s distinction between public and private matters is strict. Even if I ask the family, it would be difficult without the permission of the old-timer or the current head of the family.

“It would be nice if I could become a congress member.”

The image of a Violet with a congressional badge appeared briefly before scattering like smoke.

Unit 1 was licking their lips in regret, and Unit 2511 pointed it out.

“Don’t worry! There are countless ways to become a congress member!”

“That’s true!”

Sure, it would be impossible for now.

But it might be a story for a long time ahead.

If necessary, I could enter the parliament building in the federal capital together with the Scholarship Officer.

What we know is just a part of the first-level knowledge, but let’s think about the difficulties we experienced back then. The Scholarship Officer is likely to have a favorable view of the federation.

As I chatted about various things on the Network, quite a bit of time had passed.

When I turned on the screen, the news was still just about the barrier. No use changing channels. Every channel was plastered with barrier talk.

The blockade is ongoing because the barrier hasn’t lifted. I have no idea what will happen in the future.

What I need to focus on is different. Currently, we had two issues to resolve.

The first is multiplication.

“I need to increase! More than now!”

“Many Violets!”

Multiplication wasn’t difficult. My magical power increased after absorbing the Apostle, and both magical power regeneration and efficiency doubled.

“My magical consumption has decreased!”

A Violet in training swung her sword. The sword, engulfed in red sword energy, made a sizzling sound, like frying chicken, as its blade scraped against the dust in the air.

I continued to wield various replicate weapons for testing.

It’s clear that magical consumption has noticeably decreased compared to before.

Especially the magical power needed for creating replicate weapons or clones has drastically dropped.

In the past, I could only recover about half of the used magical power, but now I recover almost in a 1:1 ratio when regenerating the clones.

Theoretically, I can now multiply my reserve magical power several times over.

“Wow! Violet bullets!”

The Hibernating Violet had become a perfect backup battery.

“What about bullets? Arrows?”

“Uhh, this part remains the same.”

The fundamental limitations of the replication ability were still there.

The distance limitation remained unchanged, and bombs or bullets still malfunctioned or misfired.

“That’s okay! I can just use more magic!”

I need to learn more new spells.

Then the remaining issue with multiplication is…

“House!”

“Where will we live?”

Right, the real estate issue was left.

Money wasn’t a concern. As long as we try, there are many ways for us to make money.

Right now, I’m earning pocket money while frequently entering and exiting dungeons for work and training, and if I try, there are many ways to earn big money.

“Artifact excavation! Contracts!”

Or we could do some darker work.

“Become a Resolver!”

“Let me contact Manager Leslie. They looked rather lazy lately; I’ll ask if there are any jobs available.”

Assassinations or thefts, cargo transport, or hijacking are trivial. The demand would be high too. If needed, we could take over a factory and run it.

“Should I take over an ammunition factory?”

If we gather funds to take over a factory for bullet and explosive production, we could unleash firepower to our heart’s content.

We could purchase firearms and grenades through Helios, but for heavy weapons, direct production could be more cost-effective.

“Let’s check it out!”

Fortunately, the land prices around the Central District where we live are low. If necessary, we’ll buy it all and turn it into a Violet industrial complex.

“That sounds a bit socialist.”

Upon mentioning socialism, some Violets protested.

“No! It’s democratic!”

We free Violets aspire to a sound market economy.

Communism or socialism felt uncomfortable just hearing the terms. It feels overly oppressive.

“Communism inevitably leads to dictatorship!”

“I hate dictators!”

In a corner of the Network, the figure of a Violet with a mustache came to mind.

The Secretary-General Violet was energetically whipping and exploiting the Violets.

“Purge!”

“Run away! It’s the Unruly Secretary-General!”

“Yikes!”

Terrible. If communism existed in this world, the Unruly Witch would become the Unruly Secretary-General or the Unruly Revolutionary.

“That’s too scary!”

From the standpoint of this academy city, where social thoughts haven’t developed, it may or may not be fortunate.

“Don’t worry! There’s no communism in Rust Room.”

“Phew!”

Instead, there are clans that rival American bandits and military dictatorships.

“Plutocracy! Militarism!”

“That’s so anti-democratic…”

Oh no, I’m just getting these strange thoughts.

Well, I’ll just buy cheap warehouses and houses to stack up Hibernating Violets.

With that, the first issue has been resolved.

So what’s left is…

“How should I apologize for the slip of the tongue?”

“Let’s say sorry to Ariel!”

Ariel was a poor child.

I didn’t know the whereabouts of her parents, but they surely must have died at the exhibition hall.

In simpler terms, an orphan.

A horrifying possibility suddenly crossed my mind.

“What if we might have killed them?”

“What? No way!”

All those who became monsters due to the Apostle’s vile curse were dead.

Half were killed by other hunters or students fighting for self-defense, and the other half or more were killed by me.

Perhaps, with a 50% chance, Ariel’s parents could have been among those I chopped or shot.

“Should we have saved them?”

Seeds of regret began to sprout little by little.

What if we had saved them? Could they have turned back into humans when I and Restraid dealt with the monsters?

As that possibility lightly emerged, the scales wavered.

The heavy heart on the other side drooped down.

“Uh… what should I do?”

No answers emerged even after thinking.

At times like this, asking friends might be quicker. I also needed to explain the events that happened inside the barrier.

“…So, what should I have done?”

After I spoke, my throat became dry.

I absentmindedly slurped the chocolate shake in front of me through the straw.

Daphne tapped the cafe table a few times with her fingers, making a thinking sound.

After a moment of surprise, her blue eyes soon calmed down.

“This is tough. What choice should we have made…”

“And there’s definitely a chance Ariel’s parents were among them. I can’t mention that.”

Kalia, who was next to her, gasped, left speechless.

“By the way, Violet. Did Ariel get better because of that?”

“No, she’s still hospitalized.”

Thinking hard, Daphne spoke up.

“Regarding that, I think you don’t have to worry. If she didn’t recover even after the Apostles were subdued, then even if they were captured, the chances for the monsterized patients to return to their original state would be low.”

Listening to that made me ponder for a moment.

Daphne continued speaking.

“My guess might be off, but just looking at the symptoms, their condition is very similar to that of ghouls. Medically, a person who has become a ghoul is considered to have died. It’s unfortunate, but taking their lives might be a more merciful choice for them…”

When thought about deeply, there was some truth to it.

Suddenly, a realization struck me. We truly did save people!

If so, perhaps we Violets were saving those monsterized individuals from fates worse than death.

“Wow! That’s a relief!”

“…I think you’re accepting it a bit too quickly, though.”

“Ugh, sorry…”

Kalia, who had been stirring her lemonade, looked over with a half-laughing, half-dumbfounded expression.

“…I was wondering why you seemed so down, but you can also worry about others.”

“Eh, what are you talking about?”

Could it be that I’m being treated like a merciless warrior who targets civilians indiscriminately?

“Geez! Kalia, I do worry about civilians too!”

As I grumbled, Kalia silently smiled.

“No, I’m not blaming you, just… I’m relieved.”

Just as her words fell, Daphne’s gaze subtly crossed with Kalia’s. What does that mean?

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

“Um, I think I made Ariel sad by bringing up her parents! I want to go cheer her up again.”

“Violet, you’re not going to bring up her parents again, are you?”

“Uh, I won’t do that. I know at least that much.”

“…That’s a relief. How about bringing a gift or something? Last time, you went empty-handed.”

Kalia’s suggestion was supported by Daphne.

“That’s right! It’s polite to bring something when visiting a patient.”

Ah, that’s true. I should remember that for next time.

An idea flashed in my mind.

“Then… how about food?”

I explained my plan. A feast fit to bend the dining table, loaded with endless desserts! Surely she’d love it.

Kalia let out a short sigh.

“Ah, Violet… your intentions are good, but don’t you think it’s a bit weird?”

“Why? She’s a patient, so she might need nutrition! Is there a problem?”

“That’s just way too much.”

After discussion, we decided to just get books, dolls, and flowers.

Fortunately, Ariel was delighted.

“…Thank you. But who are the people beside you?”

Ariel’s curious gaze turned toward my friends. She seemed intrigued by the two pretty, kind, and brave sisters.

“Yep, they’ll be your seniors, Ariel!”

“Wow.”

Great, it seems Ariel’s mood has improved, so this should be a recovery of sorts.

「But you never know, right? I should plant myself there too.」

「Got it!」

I’ll make sure to leave a Violet at the hospital as well.