50 – Part 3: Familiar Faces
Robin and Orphe agreed to meet at a certain location. Tribor, who was watching Diana leaning against a tree, hugging a rabbit doll, took something out of his pocket.
It was a transparent black glass with a purple hue, an obsidian.
[Hmm…]
Tribor, who let out a sigh, sat down next to Diana. As his heavy body leaned against the tree, the leaves rustled and fell.
Tribor slowly observed the scene and inserted the obsidian into the empty space on his side.
Click-
The obsidian fit perfectly into the lock mechanism, absorbing into Tribor’s body.
[Playback of stored video recording.]
A recorded voice flowed out of Tribor’s mouth. It didn’t take long for a screen to unfold in front of Tribor’s eyes. A screen that others couldn’t see.
“Tha…nks…”
Despite the significantly low resolution and sound quality.
“To the Gogmagg tribe…”
Tribor blinked his eyes, like camera lenses, and they became clear.
– He seeks a favor from the Gogma Tribe.
The figure that occupied the screen was a man with a neutral appearance and black hair. His sharp eyes and tightly closed mouth strangely reminded one of Orpheus.
“I hope you will keep your promise to monitor the Guardians’ territory. I believe that as non-organic beings, you will do better than anyone else.”
The man’s words continued.
“This will probably be my last record. I have shared a lot of information so far, but there are things I couldn’t say, things I couldn’t talk about. I thought there were more important things, so I hope you understand that part.”
Various races surrounded the man as he spoke.
“Though our races, cultures, and even the worlds we live in were different, we fought together for freedom.”
A race resembling a bee, a mammal race with bird beaks, a race resembling hyenas and cheetahs, a race resembling wild boars.
Holding lanterns, they walked on two feet, illuminating the dark cave where the man was.
“We destroyed the bodies of the Guardians at the cost of numerous sacrifices and won the war. I formed a marriage alliance with Erika Irkal to maintain peace and…”
[Ah…]
Trebos raised both hands and covered his head. Looking at his face, I expected to remember everything, but nothing came to mind.
“…There is no way to return to the original world. Only the Guardians can interfere with space and time. Now they too are adrift, having lost their focal point and medium…”
[No… No…]
Despite Trebos’ desperate plea, the man’s words continued.
“…Dellamion led the remaining members of our race and fled. Peace was an illusion. Everyone was exhausted from the massacres and betrayals that occurred during the long war. Due to being out of their right mind, irrational judgments were made…”
Bang!
With an explosion, the screen shook.
Rumbling-
As light penetrated the collapsed cave, countless corpses behind the man were revealed. Judging by their appearance, they were all pure humans.
– …Even if the storage becomes insufficient, preserve this video. It contains only important content.
The man drew a shining golden sword and stood up.
– My name is Kim Seong-hoon. I am from Earth, and I made a contract with a being called the “One who was wrongly summoned” by the Observers to gain power.
– I will kill the queen, stop the war, and end all this tragedy.
With those words, the video ended.
***
“Orpheus. Are these brats still sleeping?”
“Maybe they’re having a good dream?”
Whether it’s a good dream or not, sleeping on the street is definitely a nuisance.
“It’s time to wake up.”
Clap clap clap!
“Whoa!”
[Ah…]
They finally woke up after receiving applause.
“You said you don’t sleep because you’re a robot?”
[I was reviewing the records.]
“Where’s the guy lying on a tree and reading Tree Wiki?”
I wondered if a futuristic android could experience internet addiction. I was slightly curious.
[I was in a hurry. Did you find a place to live?]
“We did, but the landlord wants to see our faces. He said he’s friends with the Goldon Duke.”
From Noble mtl dot com
I needed more time to think… It’s a bit annoying.
Ignoring the murmuring Treebo, I hugged Diana.
“Hmm~!”
In the embrace of the impolite Pocket Yo-Kai, there was a rabbit doll.
“So you finally bought it.”
I wanted to buy it in the Evergreen Village, but I didn’t have time.
Well, if Treebo had bought it, the problem would be solved.
“Wait a moment before you go.”
“What?”
“I heard you have a necklace that Diana’s sister gave you.”
Did I receive something like that? I don’t even remember. I put my hand in my pocket, but it didn’t come out, so I ended up searching through my personal backpack.
“Here it is. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it.”
A necklace with a white gemstone. I’m not even sure if this is a real gemstone. It could just be a shiny stone, right?
I was about to bite it lightly, but I decided to leave it as it is. It’s a bit disrespectful to bite into a family heirloom of Laminar’s parents. As a ninja from the Eastern Etiquette Agency, I am sensitive to such things.
“Can I take a look at it?”
“I don’t mind, but why?”
“I want to find out how to use it.”
“You should have said that first.”
Since it’s just a useless item anyway, I immediately handed it over.
“After thoroughly examining it, give it back. If it’s nothing special, give it to Diana.”
[I understand.]
“Now, shall we go? It wouldn’t be polite to go too late.”
Trebol seemed to have nothing else to say and immediately set off.
“Sister, I bought a doll. Look at this. It’s a monkey with very long ears. It’s just like the animal doll Mom and Dad gave me before. It’s so cute.”
We hadn’t even walked much when Diana opened her mouth while giving me a look. Is it because we left Trebol behind? She seems to have become quite talkative too.
“It’s an animal called a rabbit. People often keep them as pets.”
“Can you eat them?”
“Well… you can, but… have you eaten a lot of delicious things?”
“Yes. If we walk a little further, there’s a square where I bought a bread with yellow cream. It was moist and soft, so delicious.”
“You did well.”
That’s a conversation between a mother and daughter.
“Mr. Trebol, how much money do you have left?”
Orphe, who was observing Diana, asked Trebol.
[I used it all.]
“All of it? I gave you enough money for at least a week’s worth of food…”
“Crazy.”
This f*cking bastard, really.
For the sake of innocent people passing by, Trebol, divided into six parts, held back.
[I had to buy important things. They could be helpful to our entire group later. It’s a bit difficult to explain here, but if we have time later, I’ll explain it slowly.]
“If it’s not helpful, we’re really screwed. I know how to sell it as scrap metal.”
“I understand. But from now on, please tell me first. I’m tight on living expenses, after all.”
As we chatted and walked, we arrived in no time.
“Here we are. We’ll have to wait for a moment.”
In the well-maintained garden of the mansion, there were guests who arrived before us.
“Are they knights?”
Soldiers in brown armor stood in a line at the entrance of the mansion. There were both men and women, and many of them had long scars on their faces. Judging by their appearance, they were definitely members of the Knights of the Round Table.
“They’re not knights. They’re under the command of the Bureau of Security and Order.”
“The Bureau of Security and Order? Give me a brief explanation this time.”
Another thing I don’t know. It’s like peeling an onion, more and more things keep coming out.
“They’re one of the Seven Bureaus, and they’re in charge of the reconstruction of Neo-Solitron this time. They’re said to handle various weapons, but there isn’t much information about them.”
Orphe’s words continued.
“The Bureau of Security and Order is a military organization led by one of the Seven Bureaus. They’re responsible for the public safety of Neo-Solitron. It’s said that they personally gathered and established a small-scale mercenary corps.”
I can’t tell if they’re samurai or not just by hearing this. I decided to observe for now.
“Well then, Miss Amelia. We’ll take our leave.”
“Please take a look around.”
A man wearing the same armor as the Bureau of Security and Order opened the door and came out.
He had an X-shaped scar on his face, as if he had been slashed by the wind’s sword.
“We’re done here. Let’s go.”
At the command of the scarred man, who was not Himmura Kenshin, the Bureau of Security and Order, who had been eyeing us suspiciously, left the mansion.
“Excuse me. I’m Orphe, who came earlier. I’ve come back with the others.”
“Please wait a moment.”
The gentleman, who looked like a butler, fiddled with his glasses a few times before entering the house.
With a neatly trimmed beard, he somehow looked strong.
“Yes. Please come in.”
The butler, who quickly returned, opened the door and guided the way.
The place they arrived at was a kitchen larger than an inn room.
“Welcome. I am Amelia Hall, the third daughter of the Hall family. If you helped my sister Joanna, it’s the same as helping me.”
A blonde lady in her mid-twenties was sitting at a table filled with various dishes.
“I heard that you arrived today. You must have been tired. Come here and have something to eat.”
Amelia raised her fork with a beautiful business-like smile.
I was worried that I might find caterpillar cuisine, but fortunately, there was none. It could have been traumatizing.
Orphe, who had received good manners education, accepted her offer.
“Thank you very much. I haven’t had dinner yet, so this is great. I appreciate your kindness.”
“Not at all. Please everyone, have a seat. I also have a lot of things I want to hear.”
After briefly explaining why our names and Trebo shouldn’t eat, due to religious reasons involving fasting, we all took our seats.
I was slightly worried that they might feel offended by disregarding their hospitality, but they just brushed it off casually.
They seem to be good-natured nobles.
“I still can’t believe that Joanna personally wrote the guarantee. She was always a reserved person.”
“She was a remarkable person who knew how to make decisions in times of crisis.”
“Sometimes, calm people turn out to be surprisingly strong.”
I trusted Orpheus to give and take appropriately, so I stuffed a mouthful of food into my mouth.
He won’t suddenly talk to me, right? I’ve been under a lot of stress because of those theater bastards, so I have to eat like crazy.
I looked over and saw Diana eating at a similar pace. That’s a relief. As long as I don’t end up in a situation where I’m the only one being criticized.
Smart.
Someone knocked on the kitchen door that the butler had closed and left.
“Don’t be startled. It’s me, your personal servant. I was boiling chamomile tea to serve you all.”
Amelia elegantly clapped her hands together twice. A perfect lady’s calling gesture.
The door opened carefully, and a gray-haired maid entered, holding a sophisticated medieval-style kettle.
“Yes~! Chamomile tea…”
The maid, who made eye contact with me, froze in place.
Clang!
“5…. 567!?”
She froze in the same position she was eating in, unable to understand the situation.
How did you know that number?
Orpheus pulled on my sleeve, and I slowly turned my head in her direction.
Orpheus’ lips moved slightly.
“Saghal’s tail. 555.”
Who is it?