The rest area in Einhorn.
Lying on the sofa, I was chatting with Claire.
«Why does
The spot where I got hit was treated by Libya, so the pain’s mostly gone now.
‘Probably because they decided it’d help them achieve their goals. Even if we said the Master wants to wipe out the New Humans, they’d probably refuse, huh?’ «Obviously.»
It feels sick having a switch that can destroy the world in our hands.
These guys act dumb most of the time—but the stuff they can do is so messed up it’s not funny.
‘—Ideal might have judged the Master as a nuisance. Remember the first battle with the Principality? They tried hard not to kill. That probably counted as a minus for Ideal.’ «So they’d go this far?»
Claire corrects my perception.
‘Their past actions might’ve been provocations. Honestly, the war’s already basically started. He’ll attack us by any means—sending spies, you name it. He never intended to make a deal from the start. And honestly, an AI without any leeway is just useless.’ You’re the one with way too much leeway.
Claire’s also worried about how Serge handled the Noel kidnapping.
‘Even when we were ambushed, I think he left civilians on purpose. If the Master went full‑blown crazy, he could use that as an excuse—«the Master attacked civilians!»—no matter what the facts say.’ «Blame it on me? That’s just too far.»
‘The Master’s an idiot. In this world you can manipulate info as much as you want. Nobody can tell who struck first. Ideal’s better than us on that front.’ «—So we can’t win the info war?»
‘Outsmarting him is tough. I don’t think we lose on every front, though.’ Ideal’s dirty tricks are laugh‑less.
Someone’s pulling Serge’s strings behind the scenes—could be him.
«—So? What’s
‘He’s been sneaking around lately. Might be plotting something.’ Since Luxion got in touch with Ideal, he’s been finding excuses not to stay on my side.
Claire’s here instead.
I don’t hate her snark, but it lacks the bite I crave.
It’s just not enough.
«Do you think they’re building some secret weapon?»
‘Maybe they’re modifying Arrogants? But in a war, it’s still just one piece of armor. Not that important. Serge’s armor—was it Ghia? Even that can be beaten if you surround it with decent gear.’ «Even if we consider that, the enemy will bring more units, right?»
‘What’s the plan? If we keep doing nothing, Ideal will definitely march on the kingdom.’ «—I want a way to sort this out without climbing the ladder. Any clever ideas?»
I leaned on Claire for answers, but honestly, I don’t expect any brilliant scheme from my own brain.
Better to ask the AI.
‘The simplest is to have the Master support those five and
We tried this before and it flopped.
But I’ve got no other options, so I’ll go with it.
‘But that basically means we’re leaving the current situation as is, right? We can’t get Noel back…’ That’s a problem.
«Then we sneak in, grab her, and run.»
‘We could slip in, sure. But we can’t support you on the ground. Ideal’s guard is rock‑solid, so it’d be tough. Not holding back is fine, though. I wish the Master would learn that too.’ They’re honestly enviable.
They just ignore the world’s tech level and do whatever they want.
«—I’m going to take a nap.»
I’m exhausted after the fight with
‘Good night, Master.’ Claire draped a blanket over me.
◇ Late night.
Libya was tossing in her bed at Ricorne, haunted by a dream.
The city was on fire.
«—Huh?»
A burning city—Libya looked around, stunned.
«Why is the capital…?»
The pile of rubble was the capital of the
She was walking alone through the burning capital when a voice called out.
«Run—‘Libya’»
She turned to see Julius collapsed on the ground.
But he wasn’t the only one down.
All six wore not uniforms but knightly armor, looking more mature than usual.
Julius and the others were in fancy garb, white clothes stained with dirt and blood.
«Your Highness, I’ll help you now»
I rushed to use healing magic, but noticed an unfamiliar bracelet on my left arm.
«What?»
A necklace, and a staff in my right hand.
Trying to recall where I’d seen those items, Julius croaked out.
«Run. Libya—Luxion betrayed us»
«—No way»
Luxion betrayed us? Julius sounded like he was choking.
I touched the bracelet—no reaction.
Then I felt a presence watching from behind.
I turned slowly— «Lux‑kun?»
A floating sphere with a single red eye stared at Libya.
The surrounding flames made its metallic surface look reddish.
‘—Lux‑kun? That’s my nickname, right?’ «Y‑yeah. Something’s off today. By the way, where’s
Luxion, usually chill, sounded cold and electronic now.
It was the same voice I hear when talking to Leon, but it felt completely different.
‘You’re confused. Angelica isn’t here any more. Didn’t you kick her out? As for Aree, I’ve checked the academy’s records—there’s no connection between you and me.’ «What are you talking about?»
‘Can’t you understand yet? You don’t want to believe you were betrayed? The Saint is pitiful when it comes to this. Right now I have zero interest in you. I’ve analyzed everything about you. From now on—you're unnecessary.’ I had no clue what Luxion was on about.
Kicked out Angelica? Some girl named Aree? It sounded like Libya had expelled Angelica, and Luxion was mistaking Aree—Claire—for a person.
But first, Luxion said he’d betrayed.
«Why? Why would you betray? Lux‑kun betraying Leon‑san makes no sense!»
I thought Leon and Luxion were a solid team.
Libya couldn’t accept Luxion betraying anyone.
‘—Leon? Who’s that? Anyway, that’s enough. I’m done being used by you today. My comrades are arriving, so I’ll join them. —Goodbye, former Master’ «What?»
Luxion floated up into the sky, an explosion erupted, and burning debris rained down on Libya.
I shut my eyes.
(Lion‑san!)
◇ «—Lion‑san!»
Libya jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat.
She gasped, covering her face with both hands.
«Dream…?»
She was in her room at Ricorne.
Gradually recalling yesterday’s events, she felt relief and looked up at the ceiling.
It’d been a terrifying dream—so vivid it felt real, yet full of oddities.
«What was that about?»
She lay back down, hand on her forehead, trying to make sense of the dream.
Luxion’s betrayal… So many questions.
First, Julius.
If Julius calls Libya «
He also said Libya kicked Angelica out.
He seemed clueless about Claire too.
And— «Lux‑kun can’t not know who Leon‑san is. And he wouldn’t just betray—»
Even thinking that, part of me couldn’t fully believe it.
My heart pounded, a little pain throbbed in my chest.
«Comrades? Huh? Speaking of Aree‑chan, Ideal is the same entity, right?»
Libya’s mind was a mess, and she couldn’t fall back asleep before morning came.
◇ —From the morning, Libya’s acting weird.
Angelica’s acting weird too.
She asked me, «Do you have a sister we don’t know about?»
That’s a tough question.
If Dad had a secret child, the family would explode. Mom would definitely lose it.
But if Angelica and Libya are asking, maybe they’ve got some info?
—Dad’s a total lowlife, sleeping with multiple women.
I’ll ask big brother later, maybe plot a scheme to teach Dad a lesson.
We were heading to Marie’s manor, descending from Einhorn, and—Luxion was tagging along for the first time in ages.
«Busy?»
‘—Yes.’ «Got it. Tough times. But are you on my side today?»
‘I’ll leave Claire to watch the house. Besides, outside is already Ideal’s territory, so I should be the guard.’ «I hate that guy.»
‘Is that so?’ As I stepped down the ladder, a voice called from behind.
«U‑um! I’ll come too!»
The shout startled me.
«Libya? What’s up? Not that interesting. We’re just watching Marie’s crew and chatting at the embassy. And honestly, going outside isn’t recommended.»
I have to decide whether to stay or run—by today’s end.
My indecisiveness is annoying.
«I‑I’ll follow.»
Libya’s gaze was on Luxion, but I let her join.
«Don’t wander off. The Republic’s full of enemies.»
‘The Master has many enemies, indeed.’ «I’m so good‑hearted, you know.»
‘Good‑hearted? Master, you’ve learned the wrong phrase. What you just said sounds like «the Master is kind and a good person.»’ «You really have a nice personality. You’re an enemy to me too.»
‘That’s fine then.’ We were joking as usual when Libya widened her eyes and stared at us.
«What’s wrong?»
«N‑nothing—just nothing.»
Luxion moved closer to Libya.
‘Your sweat and pulse are higher than usual. You should rest, maybe?’ «I‑I’m fine!»
Libya hurried away from Luxion, clung to my arm.
—What do I do?
My condition’s already a mess.
It’s been a good morning so far.
«—Leon‑san, I need to talk later.»
«Y‑yeah.»
I instinctively covered my mouth.
I don’t think my nose was even bleeding, and Libya didn’t seem to notice, so it’s fine.
◇ Around Marie’s manor.
Lelia had come to check things out.
«—Those guys aren’t doing anything weird, are they?»
Even though Serge beat Leon, Leon’s still hiding his strength.
Ideal’s on guard, and Lelia’s worried, so she’s watching.
Peeking from a hiding spot, she saw Marie loading a hand‑cart, crying.
«Jilk’s idiot! Everything was junk! How could they refuse to buy it! Acting like an antique dealer!»
Jilk was freaking out over Marie’s tears.
«N‑no, what I did was… I tried to sell worthless art as if it were valuable.»
«—That’s fraud!»
«It’s not! Listen, Marie! I got angry because everyone called the pieces junk, so I gathered a bunch of junk that suited them, and it sold like crazy. See? Not fraud!»
«Earn money the right way, I told you! I told you! Waa—! Don’t kick me out! How many people do I have to apologize to?!»
Marie broke down, and Jilk, panicking, got hauled away by Kyle and Erik.
«Marie, please listen!»
«You’re the worst. I don’t do fraud either.»
«I’m also disgusted by your actions.»
Lelia felt sad just watching Marie.
«Marie‑sama, it’s okay. I’ll stay with you.»
«Jilk’s damn idiot!!!»
«Oh, Marie‑sama! Count‑Barton‑Baron is here!»
When Marie looked up, she instantly latched onto Leon’s leg.
She completely ignored Libya, who was standing next to her.
Lelia froze at that sight.
(—No way) «Dajigee—! Jirugu—!»
«Hey, stop it! Don’t wipe your tears and snot with my pants! It’s dirty, wipe your face!»
«Hey, don’t hug Leon‑san like that!»
Libya was trying to yank Marie away by force.
«Jirugu cheated!»
Crying, Marie begged Leon for help, spilling the whole story.
Leon just held his head in his hands.
«That bastard, you’re kidding me!»
‘What do you want to do, Master?’ «First, find the victims. But do we even have time—»
«Jilk, you’re the worst.»
Seeing Libya’s stunned expression, Lelia broke out in cold sweat.
(He seemed so close…)
She stood close enough that her arm brushed Leon’s, subtly pulling Marie away.
It was clear she liked him.
(Wait, was he my fiancé? The guy from the first game…)
Her blood ran cold.
Lelia knew it.
Libya—Olivia—was an extremely dangerous person.