Late afternoon.
It was supposed to be the time I returned to the original accommodation, but right now, I’m heading towards the castle, surrounded by soldiers.
They were very polite when they summoned me, but sending soldiers like this means they don’t want me to escape, I guess.
Not that I had any thoughts of running away.
I’m walking along the wall at the main gate of the Royal Academy. The royal palace and the Royal Academy are next to each other, but there are no passageways between them.
In fact, there’s a heavily guarded military base between the royal palace and the Royal Academy. So, walking from the main gate takes a while.
That is, if I were walking. I’m taking a ride to the royal castle.
By the way, it’s a vehicle similar to a limousine. The power source looks related to magic, but overall, it works similarly. It has wheels, a cockpit, and a passenger space.
When I think of royalty, I picture a carriage, but here, they use vehicles.
It’s not that there aren’t beast-drawn carriages in this world. They are just used outside the city or in impoverished areas.
Of course, I spotted the slums I visited. But there were only carriages carrying goods, not people.
Once I entered the castle, I was immediately guided to a certain room.
It’s the place where the Highpion King works.
“Hello.”
“Still greeting without any emotion. Right. Come and sit down.”
The king pointed to the table in front of him, so I went over and sat down.
A look of disdain flickered across the king’s face. It’s not proper etiquette to sit down first. Since Aurora’s memories hold information about such manners, I could follow them, but I don’t.
Because, realistically, how could I have had the time to learn that?
Under the assumption that every moment interacting with others is being watched, I have no time to learn those things. In fact, it’s odd that I know anything.
So I sat down first and looked up at him, and he came and took his seat.
For the record, he doesn’t exactly make it easy to read his expressions.
If I didn’t have knowledge of human emotions, I wouldn’t have been able to read his expression, as he showed no noticeable changes.
However, the memories of those who met a gruesome end are sensitive to the feelings of others. They peel apart each emotion and shine intensely.
What can I discern from that?
He’s looking at me, feeling displeased, perhaps?
“You treated a lot of people yesterday. But Brightshin slums, huh? Isn’t that a dangerous place? When going to such a place, at least let someone know before you go.”
Brightshin slums.
That’s the official name, I see. I knew that the harvesting period had all sorts of names, so I wasn’t sure which one was correct.
Anyway, while it sounds like a worried statement, he’s not genuinely worried about me.
Instead, he’s filled with annoyance over why I move freely without permission. It’s not like I went to that place without saying a word.
“Yes. Understood.”
After the harvesting period in Bern City caused a stir, if the numbers drop too low, I might choose to visit somewhere else, so I nodded obediently.
“If you get hurt, it would be a big deal.”
He adds, as if just remembering. Of course, there’s no real worry behind those words, just empty statements. Hmmm?
It would be best to just agree here, but that would be a repetition of my past world.
This time, just a little more…
Let’s be a little bolder.
“No, I don’t die easily, whether my arms are ripped off, my heart is pierced, or my head is cut off.”
As I say that, I point to my head with my hand.
“This is just a simple meat container.”
I’m hinting that I’m not human. By showing that I’m not a person, I aim to be treated carelessly. People tend to be brutally cruel towards things they don’t view as human.
Once I become an easy-to-use object, I can dig deep into their hearts. It’s a method cults use to latch onto the powerful.
I know your dirty parts. Feel free to confide in me. I’ll help you. Your desires will be fulfilled.
Feeling a sense of kinship is an important element.
And the second.
This was something Solindiges taught me.
There’s a witch who cursed this royal family, and the moment she realizes the curse has been broken, she’ll likely try to attack me.
She’ll likely use me as bait.
Oh, speaking of which, the day I headed to the slums may have had a prince or someone from the king following me. I lack the memory to identify them among passersby.
Sure, there are a few people involved, but it means I don’t have enough details to pinpoint them immediately.
They are likely measuring physical abilities in their lab or attaching various things to test their bodies. So, I could also see how much the harvesting period enhances abilities.
There was some high-ranking individual among the patients, so it was lucky I was able to see the results.
When I heard, physical abilities increased by over twice the average.
However, the amount of magic power did not increase.
But the skills to control magic have improved.
This part was probably due to my cognitive abilities being improved. In this world, there isn’t technology to measure intelligence yet.
Well, I miscalculated; in short, it means I witnessed the site where the harvesting period is created firsthand.
Indeed, it’s essential to act in alignment with the truth, so that lies cannot be manufactured.
“As far as I know thus far, dying is impossible for me.”
It implies I can use my abilities freely to make contact with the witch.
The king is staring at me.
“Why did you go to the slums to treat them? Until now, you’ve dramatically done nothing.”
At least he doesn’t ask the boring question of whether I’m not human.
Right. At the very least, he’s clearly aware that I’m something monstrous.
“There were many people who needed me there. So many who couldn’t do what they wanted.”
So, when even a little light shines, there will be fools who come running.
Those who have no container left for such leisurely moments.
The king asks me.
“What do they wish to do?”
That question is wrong.
“What they want to do.”
If they ask that, I’d reply like this.
“You sound just like a god from ancient tales. A god who gives strength for vengeance to those who are deep in despair. That god is depicted in purple. The same in every country.”
Oh my.
Look at that. There it is. Almost every world bears a trace of me. The remnants of a time when I hunted the light that came close to the surface.
“Is that you?”
There’s both a right and a wrong answer here.
“I am not a god. I’m a monster filled with deficiencies, not omnipotent.”
So, I say things that aren’t true, as if they’re facts.
I cover it by using the word monster. How will Highpion respond to this answer?
“Right. So can I ask this? Are you the monster who gives strength for vengeance to those who are deeply despairing?”
Yep. Sharp guy. Not falling for wordplay, are you? Is the king really a king?
In the blink of an eye, he digs into the truth. Usually, at this point, people would think I’m not a god.
Let’s correct that once more.
“I don’t think of vengeance at all.”
Outside of that, that’s correct. It’s a response implying such.
Highpion leaned back in his chair, covering his eyes.
“Why did you appear before us?”
His tone oddly suggests he knows a lot about me. Does he have certain information?
Highpion seems anxious about whether I’ll become the harvesting period or not.
If I knew this would happen, I should’ve just played dumb. Then, I could’ve gained some memories.
But it’s too late to regret; let’s boldly step into this world!
“That question is flawed. I only appear when someone calls for me. That’s something I should ask.”
To make it simple.
“Did someone call for me?”
The ones who called were you all.
I passionately assert my desires right there. Solely for that reason, I declare I am present in this place. It’s fine if they think I just came because I was called. It’s okay if they realize I genuinely want that.
Anyway, all I need is warmth.
“You’re incredibly resolute. The nameless gods in myths weren’t gods because they had no names.”
Myths?
Even scanning through Aurora’s memories, I don’t find such myths. Gods of hunting, gods of rivers, gods of herding. Those multi-god pantheons were merely myths that faded over time.
“There are gods. I’ve been hit before. However, I am not a god.”
The divine spirit of the first world. Even when directly attacked, I wasn’t touched. One day, I want to gain that warmth over there too. Though Daegon and Primordial Heavenly Sovereign may be gods, since they stole my warmth, let’s consider them not gods.
Gods should be greater than that.
Omnipotent. They should be able to know and do anything. I am neither omniscient nor omnipotent.
So, I’m not a god.
“Can monsters not defeat gods?”
“No. You just can’t reach them. It’s a one-sided loss.”
In return, I took all the warmth of the world. But defeat is still defeat.
I’m not foolish enough to deny that I lost. I should acknowledge the loss and think about how to win.
“You are trying to paint your color onto everyone.”
“That’s wrong. I can’t handle so many people. Only those who come to me will receive my attention, as I lack capability.”
That many people can’t be accommodated by this world, and a world with many people can’t sustain itself.
It’s just that I omitted some details, but I’m speaking the truth. So, they should understand me as a monster with only moderate abilities.
“What if I prohibit you from using your abilities?”
“Are you going to contract with me?”
Right now, I casually posed that question, but I can’t help but think Highpion is aware of something.
He’s already created over 20,000 harvesting periods.
Even if it takes 200 years, he can afford not to create a harvesting period in that time.
Anyway, before that contract ends, he’ll surely plead for me to create harvesting periods, so it’s okay to negotiate that with conditions to prohibit.
Just like I did for Aurora.
“No, I’m fine. Since you’re just giving it to those who desire it, I have no right to say anything as someone who received the benefit.”
I thought he might limit it a bit more for the sake of the country, but perhaps it’s because I claimed I can’t handle so many people?
If it’s a natural control that comes with restrictions, if it’s neglecting the situation, I can understand that.
Looking at the mood, it’s disappointing, but on to the next opportunity.
I’ve got plenty of time, so I’ll slowly look for another chance. I have confidence in the skills I succeeded with before, so I can do it well next time, too.
After that, we transitioned into small talk.
Like, how’s the Royal Academy, what do I usually do, just trivial chatting.
Highpion asked questions, and I simply answered. He did give me chances to ask questions, but I said I didn’t have any.
I feigned complete indifference.
Not knowing that there’s a hunter beside you makes hunting all the easier. Of course, while I believed I was the hunter, there could be a twist where I’m actually the hunted.
But I can think about that when the time comes.
Both of us have plenty of secrets, and there’s an abundance of time.
And after saying I would have a guard from now on, the king sent me back to where I live.
A guard…
I’m worried about whether I can get along with Victoria.
