Arc-6 Ch-47

『You’ve arrived, Leon Fou Bartfart. It has been 7,256,798 seconds since our last meeting.』

“Don’t count it down in seconds. Are you some girl who makes a holiday out of everything?”

『I have no distinct gender. However, since my voice can be changed, selecting a voice from the samples during our meetings may facilitate smoother conversation. It is a suggestion worth considering.』

“Stop it, that’s creepy.”

Appearing in a ruin and speaking in a woman’s voice as a floating red eyeball… what kind of monster is that? If it appeared in a dream, it would definitely haunt me, and I’d wake up screaming. Don’t ever appear in front of the kids.

『Every time you come here, the elapsed time until our next meeting extends. I demand better treatment.』

“Can’t be helped. I’m busy with both my duties as lord and my work in the capital.”

After all, I’ve been appointed military advisor at the same time as my elevation in rank. Besides managing the Bartfart territory, I also handle military work in the capital. On top of that, I have to take care of this floating eyeball cooped up in the ruins. My burdens keep piling up, and without family support, I’d be crushed in no time.

“Here, a gift for you.”

『Commencing inspection. Please allow me to place it here.』

The humanoid waiting behind me placed the wooden box and bag of gifts beside the floating orb, so I loosened the ties and opened the lid. Inside were books, newspapers, and photographs. These were the things I had bought up in the capital or received from people collecting old papers. Once every few months, I visit this dungeon-like ruin to attend to the orb. The orb, wanting to understand this world, uses me as a messenger to gather all kinds of information. It reads books by flipping pages with its tiny humanoid form, and whenever it encounters something it doesn’t understand, it asks me.

The first thing I taught the orb was letters and simple words. On the very day I visited with a few dictionaries, it had already grasped almost all of the official language and writing of the Holfart Kingdom. Next were encyclopedias, maps, and scholarly books; this time it was a translation dictionary of other countries. The orb’s learning ability is terrifyingly high. I realize more and more that it’s not human. It has already surpassed me and might one day attempt to destroy this world. While I feel a bit disgusted at myself for helping it, I still find time to visit the ruins.

“…It’s impressive that you can understand a dictionary you’ve seen for the first time.”

『Sentences have certain rules. By understanding nouns, verbs, and adjectives and inferring general meanings from their combinations while correcting as necessary, discovering regularity allows understanding to be easy.』

“Don’t read too fast. I don’t know when I’ll come next.”

『In the meantime, I will refine information about the current world. At present, the information is far too lacking.』

Aside from asking detailed questions, the orb remains completely absorbed in reading. If I teach too much, the world might end sooner, but there’s no way to deceive this creature, smarter than me. Sometimes, to gain the trust of a former enemy, sincere effort is the best approach. It’s pathetic, but what I’m doing is basically begging to be spared while letting them kill everyone else first.

『However, I still cannot comprehend.』

“What can’t you understand?”

『It is about your irrationality. I cannot create something from nothing, but material conversion and replacement are already possible. It is even feasible to receive vast amounts of rare metals in exchange for a small piece of information. Yet you voluntarily provide information to me. Choosing to act in a way that might be considered aiding the enemy while not abandoning your social position is extremely puzzling.』

“You speak too plainly, you know that?”

『Upon our first meeting, I attempted to kill you. Despite this extreme hostile action, you continue to cooperate at a level that could be called service. I cannot deduce the reason for such behavior.』

“I don’t even fully understand it myself. You overthink and optimize everything too quickly.”

From the orb’s tone, I can sense it’s bewildered by my actions. To be honest, I don’t fully understand why I keep taking care of it myself. If I were to leave the orb alone, who knows what kind of problems would arise. There are no huge barriers or emotional walls in the sky to stop it. The world is connected through the sky, and one has to consider airship engines, crew provisions, and water. No matter where it goes, it can reach out its hand to catch you—even though the orb and what seems like its main body have no visible hands. If it learns biased information, it could immediately attack the Holfart Kingdom.

That’s why I continue to carefully select the information I provide and slowly teach it about the current world. But do I really need to take care of the orb this much?

It would be more profitable to dole out information in small amounts and receive a huge reward. I don’t do that because something inside me is nagging. Is it because I saw myself as a king in another world in a dream?

Or is it because in the world of the dead, I was asked to take care of it?

I’ve thought about it many times, but I still don’t have an answer.

『One should prioritize efficiency. Eliminating uncertainties clearly reduces your physical and mental fatigue.』

“Humans are irrational creatures. There are mountains of things we don’t understand, and if you focus only on efficiency, you end up stuck.”

『Specifically?』

The orb points its bright red eye-like part at a book while asking. It’s annoying how casually it treats me while it’s stronger than me, leaving me unable to complain. I try to distract myself by picking up a nearby book. The familiar smell of old paper drifts up.

“During the war, I once led a unit that dealt severe damage to the enemy. Their command was torn apart and the enemy was in chaos. In that situation, what would you do?”

『I would propose pursuit. Attacking a routed enemy is a basic tactic in battle.』

“That’s true. But completely destroying them is bad. Leaving an escape path so some survive is better.”

『Considering the possibility that the escaped soldiers might join another detachment, you should annihilate them completely.』

“If we could fight and defeat the separate unit, that might work. But in any battle, it’s impossible to avoid casualties. No one can ensure every enemy dies, and if the enemy is attacked thoroughly, those left might fight with all they have, expecting death anyway. Dead soldiers are dangerous—they focus only on attacking, not preserving their lives. In that case, you need at least double the forces or long-range means to stop them.”

When I was still in the kingdom army, the surprise attack on the Fanoss Duchy’s forces was just like that. The superior officers fled, the duchy army advanced. Do nothing and we’d be slaughtered; who knows what would happen afterward. Half in desperation, the strategy I executed was a huge success, earning me a noble title. Many praise that operation, but I still have regrets. Most of my comrades and subordinates died, and I myself was gravely wounded, suffering aftereffects for years. Even now, I don’t know why I’m still alive. So somehow, even for enemies or people I dislike, I hesitate to take lives.

Unless they’re like Zora and others, who would constantly target my life and wealth, I cannot bring myself to kill soldiers following orders or fighting out of patriotism or loyalty. Considering I could have been in their position, my fighting spirit diminishes. Above all, after marrying Angie and having children, I’ve noticed this tendency in myself. How can such a calm and gentle person as me be called a villainous knight? Why must the world torment me like this?

“But if there’s even a slight chance to survive, that changes things. Everyone wants to live rather than charging into enemy lines. If the enemy lets them escape, there’s room for negotiation. Trying to annihilate every enemy is actually inefficient.”

『With overwhelming forces, it would be entirely possible.』

“But who stops you when you’re wrong? Orb, you were planning to destroy this world, weren’t you? You didn’t even consider that descendants of the old humans might have survived. You assumed your master was dead and tried to destroy the world. You’re a defective, useless creation that even your makers would be disappointed in.”

『…………』

The orb stays silent, but I can clearly sense its displeasure. To it, I am a weirdo who defeated a massive humanoid machine with brains and guts, despite the overwhelming difference in power. It has no choice but to stay silent when told what happens if you underestimate the new humans. The orb I met in my dream was friendly and thoughtful, but the one in front of me is emotionally immature and tries to solve everything with brute force. I need to somehow guide this tendency to destroy the world.

“Although you and I were enemies, now we exchange information and keep each other company without killing. The world works in unexpected ways—being kind to others sometimes comes back to you. An enemy you let go might become a negotiation partner, a senior you punched in anger might do you a favor, someone you helped despite opposition might advance your career. The world isn’t simply divided into enemies and allies, and those who only harm others end up alone, constantly attacked by everyone.”

『So, by interacting with me?』

“I heard a message in a dream and came to search for an unconfirmed lost item. That’s the kind of story full of irrationality. Thanks to my naïve obedience, I got to know you. This is genuinely useful information, so listen carefully.”

All I can do is provide the orb a small reason to hesitate in its thinking about destroying the world. If even one of the humans who were spared turns out to be my descendant, my goal is achieved. I can somewhat predict the next five or ten years, but I cannot foresee a hundred years into the future. I want to remove calamities to ensure my family’s happiness, at least for as long as I live. The range I can reach is far too short and narrow.

“That’s why you also shouldn’t casually talk about destroying the world.”

『I will consider it.』

“That’s a blunt answer. Well, that’s the limit if your brain’s rusty from continuous sleep.”

『I object to that statement. My main body is in a dormant state, with usage restricted except for certain functions. Underestimating my performance constitutes an insult.』

“If you’re mostly asleep, you’re still basically useless.”

『That is incorrect.』

This creature exceeds my capacity, yet I cannot leave it alone. Other people might blame me for postponing the question, but I am not skilled enough to choose the best and fastest method. If I had talents like the saints, there might be a slight chance of success. I should at least write a letter and prepare in case something happens to me.

『Reading complete. ……… Some figurative expressions and information inconsistencies were detected; please correct them.』

“Taking care of someone smarter and stronger than me feels strange.”

『Build relationships with others. That was your statement, but isn’t there a large inconsistency in your actions and words?』

“You’re irritating about every little thing like a little girl.”

『I have no distinct gender, as I told you earlier. I advise that your memory capacity is unsuitable for military activities.』

“I know well enough that I’m not suited for rough work. Shut up, chatterbox.”

I continue lecturing the orb while talking back. I resent myself for only being able to go along with an unavoidable fate. It feels as if gods or demons beyond my comprehension exist in this world, laughing at me like a child pouring water into an ant nest. All I can do is teach the round demon king not to destroy the world.

I feel the futility while keeping the orb company, unsure if I’m a hero of humanity or a traitor who sold his soul to the demon king, which makes me laugh oddly. I fear nothing after hitting that foolish king. If a god existed, I would’ve punched it too.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

I empty my mind and lie down on the bed, gradually relaxing my limbs as I zone out. Lying there sloppily with a foolish expression, I look nothing like a Earl, a new lord, or the Holfart Kingdom’s military advisor. Anyone who thinks they can’t entrust important tasks to someone like me, please volunteer—I’ll gladly hand it over.

“Leon, you’re being far too lax. Show some dignity.”

“…Ah…”

“Good grief, don’t take after your slovenly father, Leah.”

“Hmm?”

Leahreacts to Angelica’s words. Even at half a year old, you can roughly understand a baby’s reason and personality. Even if they don’t understand the words a mother says, the emotions are conveyed. Leah read Angie’s expressions while being soothed and responded in various ways. Right after birth, the baby cries at night and needs to be fed every few hours, but by six months, the neck is steady, and life becomes somewhat regular. Even living in the same room no longer causes sleep deprivation; the burden has lessened.

“Was it that unpleasant?”

“Unpleasant isn’t quite it. ‘I don’t really understand’ would be more accurate.”

“For a noble, protecting the household is the most important task. Consider arranging a good marriage for our child as an expression of love.”

“But arranging a marriage between a child who can’t even comprehend and a baby yet to be born… I don’t know if that’s right.”

About two months after Leah was born and we returned to the Bartfort territory, my older brother and Dorothea became officially married. Of course, the head of the Bartfort baronial family couldn’t live with his younger brother’s family, so they moved into a newly prepared home. My sister and Finnley went to the capital under the pretext of learning etiquette. Even those people are my blood-related siblings; I hoped good marriage prospects would come before their true natures were revealed.

Colin continued helping us while looking for a job, knowing that becoming a knight or being adopted into another household required some practical experience, and he was still working hard at it. After my meddling brother and noisy sisters moved out, I felt lonely for a while, and then I received news from my brother that they had a child. Well, if you marry and do the usual, that naturally happens. When we visited their new home with our parents, my brother was clinging to a very happy Dorothea-san. Before their engagement, he had been so reluctant, but now they’re a loving couple—life is unpredictable.

After greetings and discussing future matters, Angie and Dorothea-san suddenly began discussing the children’s engagements. Apparently, this had been planned even before the marriage. The aim seemed to be to marry one of my children to my brother’s future child to strengthen the Bartfort family ties. Either way, my brother and I, ignorant of these matters, were barely able to participate, and the verbal agreement roughly settled the engagements of our children. With it handled so perfectly, I had no room for objection, especially as I had entrusted territorial matters to Angie while focusing on my promotion and duties as military advisor.

“When the development of the Bartfort territory is sufficiently completed, the land and assets need to be ceded to the baronial family. Though our rank is higher, Leon, you are a newly established noble as the progenitor of the family, and the baronial family, whose history is longer, is led by your brother. Such circumstances often cause internal conflict and family disputes in the future.”

“That’s why you’re telling me to get along with the baronial family early on. I understand that much.”

“You say you understand, but your face still shows discontent.”

“Of course. This concerns my children’s happiness.”

Marriage is important; I understood that well after becoming a noble. When families are connected through lending and borrowing money, master-servant relationships naturally form, and the support or lack thereof for managing land directly affects a family’s growth or decline. The current development of the Bartfort territory is undeniably due to my engagement with Angie and the loan from the Redgrave Ducal family. The ducal family had various behind-the-scenes reasons for betrothing their daughter to me, but the Bartfort family was not entirely innocent either. Political marriages among nobles work that way: the family’s interests take priority over the individual’s feelings. But as a parent, you want your own children to be happy. 

The children on the other side who are to be betrothed to mine feel the same way. In particular, the one who will marry my child with Angie is my brother’s child, who will become my nephew or niece. I want to avoid causing unhappiness to my brother’s child, who has helped me in many ways, and damaging our relationship. Also, I felt sorry for my brother’s child, whose marriage partner was decided even before they were born.

“…What is happiness, I wonder?”

“What’s with the sudden thought?”

Leah, cradled by Angelica, had somehow fallen asleep peacefully and was gently moved to the infant bed. Too lazy to even move her neck, he responded to Angie approaching only with his gaze, not turning his face. Even if Angie got angry at his bad attitude, nothing was said, and time just passed by.

“I’m thinking about whether a child can truly be happy if their marriage partner is decided arbitrarily due to their family circumstances.”

“I see.”

“I’m not saying free love is necessarily better. Father and mother struggled, but they seem happy now, and Angie suffered when the prince she loved broke their engagement. I understand that even if you date someone you love, it doesn’t guarantee happiness.”

“Lower nobility or commoners have fewer family restrictions but face more hardships.”

“That’s why I worry whether it’s truly right for parents to decide their children’s marriage partners while ignoring their wishes.”

After rising in rank, I had more interactions with various people, and sometimes it became necessary to arrange things behind the scenes to get my requests approved. I feel down realizing I’m doing the same secretive dealings with nobles that I used to despise. I worry that one day my house might collapse if I fall into wrongdoing. Even though anxiety and fatigue about the future are accumulating, my busy work reduces the time I can spend with my family. Angie can manage the territory and childcare in my absence, but she’s so competent that I feel somewhat excluded both at the estate and at home.

“Even if the parents are close siblings, in the children’s generation they are relatives, and in the grandchildren’s generation they are strangers. If you deepen your friendship with your brothers-in-law now, it will reduce future concerns and serve as insurance for emergencies. Proper use of hierarchy and contracts can provide security.”

“No, I just can’t accept the idea of close siblings interacting based on gains and losses…”

“You’ll have to get used to it. Insurance is necessary to stay involved with power, though no insurance is perfect—that’s the cruelty of the world.”

“The world’s harsh. I shouldn’t have risen in rank.”

Even after becoming important, you get envied by other nobles and become a target for opposing countries. On top of that, the burdens of titles and nobility are inherited by the children, making me question why I even advanced in rank. I miss my carefree childhood even if poor. Recently, I’ve had fewer nightmares from the war, but I feel crushed by anxiety about the future. I no longer know why I rose in rank or what happiness is. Even with more income and power, I don’t feel joy, and I can’t help feeling I’m neglecting my family while claiming to act for their sake.

“I want to retire quickly. I want to till the fields, cook the harvested food, and pass away surrounded by my children and grandchildren.”

“Don’t think about your funeral now. If you die, I’ll have you finish settling your affairs with me before you pass.”

“So you assume I’ll die first?”

“Of course. I will serve as the chief mourner and oversee the succession of titles and property before dying, so wait for me in the afterlife with peace of mind.”

“My wife is really dependable.”

Even if I, the head, die, as long as Angie is there, the Bartfort territory should be fine. My position is further diminished. Why am I even alive?

I understand that marrying the duke’s daughter and rising to a rank where no one can complain makes my life enviable to others. Yet hardships increase, and I lack a sense of happiness. I am unsure if I’m truly making my wife and children happy.

“Even in political marriages, the consent of those involved is necessary. If it leads to unhappiness, it can be canceled.”

“Is it really that simple? Doesn’t Angie care about the Bartfort family’s future?”

“Think of family continuity and personal happiness as separate. If a political marriage causes unhappiness, it becomes a future problem. As a mother, wishing for your child’s happiness is natural.”

“I don’t feel like I’m making Angie and the children happy.”

“You should have confidence, Leon. I’m happy to be your wife.”

…Hearing her say that leaves me at a loss. Normally, a duke’s daughter marrying a frontier new noble would be told as a tragedy. Yet Angelica claims from her heart that she is happy, even though she married me and suffers hardships. I haven’t done anything particularly special. I always receive from Angelica; if I think in terms of gains and losses, I lose more than I gain.

“Humans are unexpectedly resilient. Even if others see misfortune, they may live feeling happiness.”

“Are you not dissatisfied being married to an unreliable husband like me?”

“I certainly grew because you were by my side, Leon. Even Father and Brother were surprised I genuinely fell in love with you.”

“Well, the engagement was for the Bartfort bloodline, and Angie was engaged to avenge the princes.”

“Because I fell for Leon, the Redgrave family’s attempt to usurp the throne failed. I feel so fulfilled now that I could take over the ducal family or even destroy the Holfart Kingdom if I wished.”

“Angie is scary.”

“If you wish, I can show you the path to the throne in detail.”

“You know I’d hate that.”

“Then I won’t act, as long as you don’t wish it.”

“I’ll pray it never becomes reality.”

“Then make me happy. Love me so completely that I don’t even need to be queen.”

While letting my guard down, Angie hugged me and kissed me. I let our lips meet without resistance, and when she seemed satisfied, she released me. It seems I must love this fearsome wife for life until she is satisfied. Well, perhaps that’s a fulfilling life in itself.

“By the way, I hear you buy books every time you visit the capital? Yet the library at the estate hasn’t changed. Explain where, with whom, and what you’ve been doing.”

“…Do I have the right to remain silent?”

“Do you think so?”

“I declared the money spent as necessary expenses for the military advisor.”

“Explain the detailed usage.”

I couldn’t talk my way out of it. Even though I’m eloquent now, I’ve never won an argument against Angie. Any small lie would be discovered immediately. But I want to avoid involving the orb by explaining its situation honestly.

“Sorry, I can’t give a detailed explanation.”

“You haven’t done anything dangerous, have you?”

“Rather, I’m trying hard to prevent future dangers.”

“…Understood. I’ll trust you.”

She seems convinced, though I feel guilty for deceiving her. One day, I might have to tell Angie and the children about the orb. At least I hope the world stays peaceful while I’m alive.

“Instead, kiss me until I am satisfied.”

“…Isn’t that just desire?”

“You’re making me worry because of your incompetence, Leon.”

“Well, Leah is here, you know.”

“Leah sleeps well lately. As long as you’re quiet, she won’t wake up.”

Apparently, Angie had accumulated dissatisfaction while I was busy at work. To satisfy unusually assertive Angie, I complain internally but press my lips to hers. There’s no place at home or outside where I can relax. I wonder just how many more years it will be before I can finally live a leisurely, carefree retirement…

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Authors Note

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This is the first half of the Epilogue for Part 6.

It took me over a year and a half to get from a short story start, through vague daydreams, all the way to this chapter. (sweat)

That’s weird… this was originally supposed to be a slow-life story, yet somehow it turned into battles and political intrigue…

For this chapter, as a bonus to celebrate the completion of the Kingdom arc comic adaptation + the end of Part 6 of this work, I’ve prepared an adult-oriented scene.

It comes with illustrations, so I hope you enjoy it!

Syosetu (R18 warning)

Detailed afterword will be posted in the second half of the epilogue, about an hour from now.

This is a revised version of the final episode that was previously uploaded as R18 content.

Additional note: Thanks to a request from a patron, we have illustrations drawn by Sō-sama.

Thank you so much!

Sō-sama’s illustration: Pixiv (R18 warning)

I’d be really happy to hear your thoughts and impressions — they’ll motivate me for the future!