Chapter 56

Carried on Banetta’s back, I return to my room in the dormitory. She gently lays me down on the bed, a gesture of care.

“Thank you, Banetta.”

“Yeah, Edu, you’ve worked hard too. Don’t forget to come find me if you need anything.”

“Yes.”

With a wave of her hand, Banetta leaves the room. The space is enveloped in silence. Feeling slightly weary, I lie down on the bed.

The soft, fluffy sensation enveloping my entire body is comforting. Being small, I feel almost buried in the bed, but this feeling is quite pleasant.

“Hmm.”

As I quietly regulate my breathing, the conversation I overheard beyond the dean’s office door resurfaces vividly in my mind.

Freya, who has already accepted her death.

Ryuje, who cannot prevent it even though he knows.

The enemies approaching.

“Megabase…”

Living up to the epithet of mobile fortress, it’s one of the toughest adversaries, even within the AOE.

The combat power possessed by Megabase itself is already formidable, but the overwhelming force of the Invaders’ army it commands is downright oppressive.

Thus, in the normal flow of the AOE story, Megabase is an enemy encountered only in the very late stages.

But to save Freya, we must fight such an enemy.

“ID, can you show me the stat window?”

[ Code verification complete. Visualizing and displaying status.]

—————————————-

Level 18 Edu Numbers Day *(■)

[ HP 23 / 23 ] *(■)

[ MP 525 / 525 ] *(■)

[ ST 30 / 30]

ATK 25 *(■) / DEF 35 / RES 40

STR 6 *(■)

DEX 8 *(■)

INT 193 *(Growth bonus x2 / Growth limit 1)

CHA 96 *(Growth bonus x2 / Growth limit 1)

CON 16 *(■)

LUK 61 *(Growth bonus x2 / Growth limit 1)

SP 0 / SK 14 / EXP 12825

Appearance traits *(■)

Character traits *(■)

Bonuses *(■)

Achievements *(■)

—————————————-

The status window appears before my eyes, displaying my level 18 condition.

“Hmm…”

Though I’ve grown somewhat, a sigh escapes me involuntarily as I think about the situation not changing much.

‘In the AOE, Megabase’s level was…’

Yes, it must be around 800. In contrast, my level is 18. By simple calculation alone, there’s a ridiculous difference of 782 levels.

On top of that, with my current level, I’ve just unlocked the humanoid tree; I’m far from being able to pilot heavy mechs.

Of course, the levels assigned to enemies in games are more like symbolic measures of strength compared to my level, which increases with experience, but even accounting for this, the gap is enormous.

“…”

My heart feels heavy, cold.

Objectively speaking, things are going well as they are.

Ultimately, Freya will die, but the world will continue along the flow of AOE that I know, and the story that I’m already familiar with should have minimal risks.

But I have no intention of letting things remain as they are.

Surely the path I chose is not an easy one.

There’s always the possibility of death.

But danger in this world, like shadows under the sun, is a constant presence.

And the time spent here and the bonds formed are far too vivid to be dismissed as just another game.

Tough opponent? So what?

After all, it’s an enemy I’ll have to fight eventually.

It’s just that the fight has been brought forward, right?

Giving up without trying something would be a disgraceful act towards the past me who once dived deep into and loved this world.

Alright, let’s do it.

With this thought, I steel myself, then suddenly recall that I haven’t yet checked how the guild is doing after visiting the dean.

“Hmm…”

Though the revenge plan went as expected, and I care little now about what happens to the guild, still, since we did something, I figure I should confirm.

“ID, can you show me Fangju’s latest news and articles?”

[ Code verification complete. Visualizing and displaying Fangju’s latest news and articles.]

In response to my query, ID projects a holographic window, revealing dense texts and photos.

– Shock! Invaders devastate Fangju…

– Late-night chaos; the culprit behind it is Explorer Guild’s president…

– Successive blunders: will Guild Leader Gyejeck be dismissed?

As expected, numerous articles and news items covering yesterday’s incident fill the screen.

And among several articles and news reports, I spot a picture of Gyejeck, his worn-out face looking far older than before.

Yet, seeing his face brings no sympathy to my heart. After all, he’s only reaping what he sowed.

Tank-like Invaders with a hardened coating.

Additionally, words like “contract” and “hideout” were spoken by those tanks and made audible to others, leading them to believe Gyejeck had ties with the Invaders.

This was the full extent of this revenge.

And this revenge was simply returning what those guys had done to others.

The one who tried to turn falsehoods into facts and pin fake crimes on others surely deserves this fitting conclusion.

‘So they should have behaved nicely.’

After one last jab in my mind, I disengage from the matter. Anyway, from now on, Fangju and its Security Force will handle this guy.

Feeling slightly relieved, I wiggle my fingers when the Nightmare on the desk activates.

[ Did something good… happen?]

The brusque yet polite tone.

Nightmare, neglected and treated as a battery during the fight with the Invaders at the academy, enthusiastically followed me in joy.

But with time, perhaps remembering that day’s events and feeling ashamed of his actions, Nightmare had fallen silent for a while.

“Is your vow of silence over?”

[ … ]

A single reply, and Nightmare closes his mouth.

“Alright, I won’t tease you.”

[ … You must keep that promise.]

Nightmare, who still holds onto the memory of that day, supplements this.

“Understood.”

In any case, since Nightmare followed me obediently after that day, I stop teasing him.

[ So, is there something you need? You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?]

“I took down a villain.”

[ A villain…?]

Startled, Nightmare flinches, thinking it might refer to him.

“That’s not about you.”

[ … Is that so.]

Though trying to be calm, I hear a tiny sigh of relief.

If I point it out unnecessarily, he’ll probably get upset, so I’ll just pretend not to notice this time.

“Hmm…”

Feeling a bit lazy, I stretch my body by rolling around. Then I feel something from near my thigh.

“Huh?”

Sticking my hand into my pocket, I pull out a small rectangular object that glows in my palm. It’s clearly the data chip Mew gave me.

[ Isn’t that a data chip?]

“Yeah.”

[ Quite surprising… I didn’t expect the master to carry it.]

“Isn’t it just a storage device?”

Like the USB or external hard drive we used to have, a common storage medium. But Nightmare denies my statement.

[ No, it’s a bit different. Data chips are made differently according to their purpose. And that data chip… was made for automata.]

“Huh? How did you know?”

[ Automata chips are made from materials that corrode easily if not properly maintained.]

“… Could it be.”

Equipment that corrodes easily if not maintained. Hearing this explanation brings to mind an unpleasant reason.

Could they have designed this tool to differentiate between themselves and the automata they created, not trusting them?

[ Most likely for the reason you’re thinking of.]

Slightly frowning at the calm reply,

“…Disgusting.”

[ Perhaps they were just that afraid of the Invaders.]

“Tanks are tanks, automata are automata.”

[ Isn’t it clear, master, that humans are not as rational as they think.]

“…”

Hm, taking a small breath to clear my thoughts. It won’t help if I shout out to improve automata’s treatment alone right now.

“Anyway, Nightmare.”

[ Yes, what is it, master?]

“Can you check what’s on this data chip?”

[ It’s possible. Shall I play it?]

“Yeah, please.”

With that, I hand the data chip to Nightmare through Hands, who retrieves it from me.

With a whirring sound, the data chip is absorbed into Nightmare, and a soft noise follows as blue light emanates from him.

[ Playing video.]

Mew’s perspective appears on the hologram.

Seeing the expansive space and the chandeliers behind her, alongside the excessively luxurious furniture, I understand this is Gyejeck’s house.

Sshh… Sshh…

Mew is wiping a glass cabinet with a slightly dirty towel, perhaps cleaning. From behind, Gyejeck’s voice reaches my ears.

– Absolutely, do not take your eyes off it. Actually, there’s no need to act so hastily.

It seems he’s speaking with someone. There are periodic pauses where Gyejeck listens.

– That’s it, move cautiously while gathering information, got it? Timing is up to my instructions.

Another pause, and Gyejeck continues.

– Hmm, still, try to adapt as much as possible. Also, take notes on the academy’s curriculum while you’re at it.

What? What does the academy have to do with this?

“Hold on.”

[ Yes?]

“Could you rewind and replay that part?”

[ Understood.]

The video rewinds, and Gyejeck repeats his statement.

– Hmm, still, try to adapt as much as possible. Also, take notes on the academy’s curriculum while you’re at it.

“…Phew.”

After confirming it’s the exact same content, a hollow laugh escapes me.

“Gyejeck planted a spy at the academy?”