Chapter 14 “Leon’s Regret”
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Part 1
When I visited the floating island, it had been raining heavily since the morning.
Looking at the sky, heavy gray clouds are spreading.
I was watching the scene from inside the cave, and I looked at my partner, Luxion, and asked him.
“Is this rain going to stop?”
Luxion, with his single red eye blinking several times, checks the weather on the floating islands we visit and informs me of the forecast.
[It will be clear in less than an hour. Shall I send Einhorn to pick you up?]
“No, I’ll get some rest.”
I decided to take a break and went back a little deeper into the cave.
There is a bonfire inside, and luggage is scattered around it.
These are the treasures I found in the dungeon.
I sat down on an affordable rock and put my hand over the bonfire with my rifle by my side.
“It’s colder than I thought.”
After saying that, Luxion began to put firewood on the fire.
Although Luxion has no arms or legs, the firewood flies into the fire one after another as if by psychokinesis.
[Your immune system is weakened due to exhaustion of your physical strength and fatigue from the past few days. Your judgment is also declining, and it would be more efficient for you to rest for a while.]
“That’s why I’m taking a break.”
As I said that, I reached out to check out some of the loot I had gotten from the dungeon.
In my hand was a dagger with a pattern floating on the blade.
“Can I use this?”
When I show it to Luxion, he begins to analyze it by emitting light from his single red eye.
[Once again, a metal that is not in the data is used.]
“A fantasy metal dagger. If it’s usable, I’ll have it refurbished.”
The dagger has been neglected for many years, but there is not a single rust on the blade.
The scabbard and handle are tattered, so if I want to use it, I should prepare a new one.
As I look into the polished mirror-like blade, I see my face, more haggard than before.
“I look awful.”
Although I laugh at myself, Luxion’s reaction is cold.
[It is due to excessive training and overdose of drugs. I know we don’t have time, but if it continues, you will collapse. Besides, you do several conquests of dungeons a day. It is obviously hard work.]
“It’s not a job. This is a hobby.”
[It is useless to say it differently. Master’s body is at its limit. It’s screaming.]
“This is the price I get for slacking off all this time.”
I let out a small sigh and placed the dagger on the ground.
——Price, huh? I was convinced as I said it.
I’ve tried not to look at many things until now.
This is just the price for neglecting the situation until now.
If only I had trained seriously earlier.
If only I had found Arcadia, new humans’s weapons earlier.
If only I had gotten serious earlier.
There is no end to regret, but I can’t help thinking about it.
As we spend our time in silence, staring at the bonfire, Luxion asks a question.
[I have a question for Master. It’s about Angelica and the others.]
“Again. No matter how many times you ask, the answer will always be the same.”
While I thought he was as persistent as ever, this time it was a little different.
[My concern is that Master was holding yourself back from Angelica and the others. I have long wondered. Why did Master try to distance yourself from Angelica and the others when you became close to them?]
Why do you want to keep your distance when you get close, even though you were blunt when you were friends?
That’s been obvious from the beginning.
“——Of course it’s because I’m a reincarnated person.”
[That’s not an answer.]
“That’s the answer. I’m not the kind of person who deserves them in the first place.”
I’m aware that I’m not the most talented person.
I think my personality is “a little bit” twisted, and when I do get payback, I am always told by others that I am taking it too far.
What’s my point? I’m saying that a man like me, who dreams of a peaceful life, is not a good match for those girls who live an exciting life. ——It means I’m not suited for them.
Above all.
“And I’m a coward. I’ve used your power to twist everything.”
[It’s wrong. It is the result of Master’s grasp.]
“It’s the result of having grabbed it with your power, isn’t it? ——I’m the person that this world doesn’t need.”
The one who was supposed to be Livia’s lover was the five idiots who were now mere shadows of their former selves.
And yet, through the power of Luxion, I’m bonded with Livia.
[At the very least, the girls entered into the relationship knowing that Master was a coward. You are necessary existence for the girls]
“Aa, you’re so kind, it brings tears to my eyes. ——So I better stay away.”
Those girls are kind to guys like me, so it hurts my heart even more.
I, with my knowledge of that otome game strategy, am the same as deceiving those girls who don’t know anything about it.
I have things hidden from them, and they accept me and say that it’s okay.
Those good girls are a match for me? There is no way.
“I’ve always felt guilty.”
[Master is not deceiving anyone.]
Even after hearing Luxion’s consolation, I couldn’t accept it.
Because I am the one who understands myself the best.
“I’m still deceiving them. I know how petty I am. I just got overrated because I got you. ――What those three girls see is a fake me who looks like a hero who can solve anything with your power.”
Without Luxion, I’m sure I wouldn’t have had any contact with those three.
In the first place, I would not have been able to attend the academy.
What would have happened by now, had I been forced into marriage before entering school?
It is doubtful if I am even alive.
However, just by getting Luxion, I was able to have a much more enjoyable school life.
[I am the property of Master. There is no shame in using my power]
“Though I was still acting wildly, deceiving myself that it was my own power. Anyway, for me to think of running away now, those three are too dazzling.”
There was no way that I, who had been so overpowered by the power of Luxion, could be worthy of those three.
I am painted with lies, and those three who are serious about living in this world are different.
How much more would it have saved me if I could have stayed thoughtless? While I felt happy to be in a relationship with those three —— I felt guilty in my heart that I got those three girls through cowardly means.
The closer I get, the more I remember myself playing that otome game while making fun of it before my reincarnation.
I made fun of Livia as a brainless protagonist.
I said that Ange was an instantaneous water heater.
The me that made fun of them is going out with them as if nothing happened.
I thought I was making fun of them, but I realized it was I who was the most foolish.
“I just want those three to live happily ever after. I want more people to live, too, so it’s my duty to fight Arcadia now that I have you.”
Hearing the statement “my duty,” Luxion was fidgeting with the ring in his red lens.
Is it impatience? No. Upset? Anyway, he seems to be acting differently than usual.
[——Do you regret getting me?]
“I regret it all the time.”
[Please answer the question. Was I unnecessary to Master?]
I decided to answer Luxion, who was closing the distance, without fooling him.
I thought that was the minimum courtesy for a partner who fights together.
“I’m grateful to you.”
[Really?]
“It’s obvious. Because I had you, I was able to reject Zora’s marriage proposal. I was able to go to school and get to know Ange and the others. It was a great feeling when I beat up those five guys. And I was able to win the war because of you. It was all thanks to you. If it had been just me, I would have died without being able to do anything.”
The Principality of Fannos, the Republic of Arzel, and the Holy Kingdom of Rashel.
Thanks to Luxion, I won all the battles.
If I had been alone, I would have accomplished nothing.
But, since I got the Luxion, it seems the story has deviated from what it should have been, doesn’t it? I also have such regrets.
[Despite that, your facial expressions aren’t that good.]
I guess he read my expression and saw that I was not only grateful.
It’s getting harder and harder to fool him these days.
“——Because if I could start my life over, I doubt I would get you.”
It is true that I was saved, but at the same time, I was burdened with trouble.
If I had my life to live over again, I didn’t think I’d risk it all to get my hands on Luxion.
[Starting life over?]
“If there’s reincarnation, there could be loops, right? I can’t guarantee that life will be the same again.”
When I said that, Luxion was silent for a few dozen seconds before saying.
[For Master, I——]
“I found you, Leon!”
Before Luxion could finish speaking, a man’s voice echoed in the cave.
As I pick up my weapon and stand up, I see a figure invading the cave.
I held up my rifle and lowered the muzzle when I saw the intruders.
“Why did you come here?”
I turned my gaze to Luxion and he turned away his red lens.
The persistent conversation earlier must have been stalling for time.
Julius approaches me.
“I’ve been looking for you. Marie is worried about you. Now, let’s go home.”
He grabbed my arm and pulled, so I shook him off forcefully.
“Don’t get in my way. I’m busy and won’t be back for a while.”
In addition to Julius, Jilk, Greg, Chris, and Brad —— the five idiots are all here.
Looking further back, I see my friends Daniel and Raymond.
They’re watching us from a distance.
Julius gives me a serious look and tells me the current situation.
“The Empire has declared war. If we want peace, they say they want your head.”
“I see. Then I can’t go back. The kingdom is making noises about executing me anyway, isn’t it? Who would go back to that heartless country?”
I have no intention of going back to the place where the trouble is happening.
I gesture for Julius and the others to go home, but five of them glare at me.
“I’ve heard the circumstances. Why didn’t you rely on us?”
I was momentarily surprised by Julius’ words —— but then I burst out laughing.
“Why would I rely on you? You’ve caused me so much trouble, did you think that I would rely on you?”
I mock them, and Greg comes to my side and grabs me by the chest.
Greg, a muscular idiot, is quite powerful when seen up close.
“Until now, you’ve been relying on us, haven’t you.”
“You were just helping me with a few chores.”
I push Greg away and now Chris grabs my arm.
“That’s enough. Marie was worried about you.”
“Because there will be no more financial supporters, right?”
“Do you think Marie is that kind of woman?”
“Yes, I do. Because she’s been bowing her head to me to pay for your living expenses!”
This time, I shove Chris away, and Brad and Jilk both hold me down.
“You seem to be in a bad mood. Are you getting any rest?”
“You should take a bath too. As it is, you can’t go out in front of the ladies.”
I was angry —— at both of them for worrying about me.
So I forcefully shake them off and I tell the five of them.
“Go home already! Your small fry help is a nuisance!”
I extinguish the bonfire, collect my belongings and try to return to Einhorn.
Then something was thrown at me.
I stopped moving and slowly turned around —— Julius had taken off his left glove and was throwing it at me.
He points to a glove that fell to the ground.
“Pick it up, Leon. We challenge you to a duel.”
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