Volume 20 (1/2)
[]
Previously: Zanoba received orders to return to shi+rone
Sharia Magic University, Research Building
Zanoba's research lab
Six individuals are in a circle around a table
Zanoba, Cliff, and I are sitting; Elinalise, Julie, and Ginger standing as if to surround us Elinalise is holding her baby, so really 7 people are present
Zanoba looks very troubled, and Cliff agitated Julie also looks troubled, and Ginger looks ready to burst in tears
Even Elinalise looks flabbergasted
An unhappy mood permeates the air
”Zanoba, calain from the top, this time with details?”
” Okay”
Zanoba is expressionless, which is terrifying since he usually has a smile on his face It's like he's a different person entirely
”This , a soldier from shi+rone delivered a letter to yours truly”
He already showed us the letters, which I'ain to read
The envelope is sealed with the shi+rone Kingdonature, with three letters sealed within
The first details the political turdom in the last half a year
The gist of it was about how the Seventh Prince Pax, as sent off to study abroad at Kingdo, and returned to shi+rone Kingdom
Then he initiated a coup,shi+rone, as well as rest of the royal fadom
The contents seem to prattle on with praise for Pax
The second letter concerns what happened after the coup
It's enerals were replaced or escaped from shi+rone
As the population declined in shi+rone, its effective combat force declined as well
Once they realize this, countries in the North will likely take advantage of the situation and attack
Because shi+rone lacks the force necessary to defend itself, a plan was hatched to recall the miko Zanoba to defend his home nation
The letter is written with a [political change is necessary, so Pax did nothing wrong] tone
The third letter is an official letter to recall Zanoba
It includes a cancellation of the previous king's order and an order to return home
It even has the seal of King shi+rone sta
Basically the three letters are [Pax's Heroic Tales], [Excuse], and [Draft Letter]
The coup led to a decline in their fighting force
Reinforcements are necessary to stave off enemy attacks
It sounds like a bunch of excuses, but they kind of make sense
Of course, a question remains about how useful Zanoba is in combat
But Zanoba is quite fa him alone should at least help with the troops morale
But considering that they have the backings of the Kingdo, why not leave national defense to them?
I don't know the situation on the ground, so maybe there are reasons why that's not possible
No alliance is set in stone
If the letter didn't , it probably isn't possible
Pax and Zanoba had a history together
Eight years ago, with Zanoba's help, I destroyed Pax's scheme
As a result, Pax was sent off to study abroad in the Kingdo, and Zanoba was sent off to study abroad in Ranoa Kingdom
If Pax still holds a grudge, he won't let Zanoba off that easily
So maybe this draft letter is really a trap for Zanoba
Well, leaving that aside The problem nohat to do? What will Zanoba choose?
”Then, given the situation, ill you do?”
”I'll follow the order to return to shi+rone and join the battle”
Here's the problem
No ree
They could understand if Zanoba wanted to return to avenge the previous king
They could also understand if Zanoba chose to disobey the order too
But Zanoba did neither
Even though it's obviously a trap, he's going to comply
With Pax
With the usurper
”You have no reason to go”
That's what Cliff said
He thinks the chance of a trap is high
Or rather, he already decided that this is a trap
”You want to take a chance, but this is obviously a trap for your life”
”Um”
”In a coup, theto do is to eliminate the entire royal family, to avoid problems down the line”
Cliff hiles underway at Holy Kingdom of Milis If his father the pope loses, his life will be in danger
Eli his entire clan It's only natural
”And even if the eneood will you do on your own?”
”Uardless, I'm a miko after all”
”So what?”
Frustrated, Cliff sla
Zanoba lets it pass
”Even if you beat back the enemy, have you considered what Pax has planned for you?”
Cliff knew about why Zanoba was sent out of the country
When was he told? Probably when I was telling him about how Zanoba and I first met
That's why he knohat kind of person Pax is
Maybe his opinion was biased, but I can appreciate why he's so adamantly opposed
”He'll probably get rid of you after he's finished using you!”
That's why he was saying this
But I agree with Cliff on this one
assu that war is really on the horizon because other countries are invading
assu that Pax really wants Zanoba's power
assu his miko power, solves the crisis
Then what?
As royalty, Third Prince Zanoba, what kind of existence is he for Pax?
When enemies attack, Zanoba has value
He ht even be considered the savior of a nation
Hethe soldiers that he saves
What would Pax think about so in his veins?
No doubt he'll be a hindrance
A potential threat to his position and survival
When Pax considers this, ill he do?
That's obvious
”Zanoba, I think so too”
” It's highly probable”
After I concur with Cliff's opinion, Zanoba nods seriously
He should knoell that Pax still holds a grudge and ht make an attempt on his life
”But I o”
Even though Zanoba agrees with us, he still thinks he needs to go
Why? I don't get it at all
” Why?”
”Because this is an official order of the kingdom”
Zanoba replied
True, the stationary has the king's stamp
Forget the previous king's order, immediately drop out of school, and return home -- that's the order
”But that order coed There's no need for you to comply?”
”shi+sho, if everyone disobeys their orders just because the king has changed, then the country cannot survive”
”Even if you say so, he didn't becoh the proper channel isn't he just a usurper?”
”Nodoes not change”
Is that so?
Yeah, in my previous life this happened in many countries as well
What would the ministers of a country do in this situation
Would they keep working even under the usurper
”Zanoba, you really want to work for Pax?”
”That's not the case”
Slowly, Zanoba shakes his head
There's nothing we can do
Zanoba refuses to listen, regardless of e say
Realizing that frustrates me
”T-Then why?”
I unconsciously raised my voice
”Even though you know you'll be killed, and you don't plan to follow hio Why are you so stubborn?”
Or is he afraid of the consequences?
If Zanoba refuses a direct order, shi+rone Kingdoht retaliate
But this is Ranoa Kingdom, it'll take at least half a year to rush here from shi+rone
If I ask Ariel for a favor, he should be safe as a refugee in Asura Kingdoer I'dom] But I don't knohether that excuse of exile ork
”My reason?”
Zanoba laughs at my confusion
A different laugh from his usual, natural one
A forced laughter
”shi+shou, you're aware, that for shi+rone Kingdom I'm considered a nuisance”
”Not really, since you're a miko?”
”Yes, but, I'm a miko that murdered royal blood because of my lack of self-control”
Hearing this, I suddenly recall Zanoba's nicknadom
[The Head Ripping Prince]
He ripped off the head of princess escort's newborn - his own brother - a mad prince
It doesn't need to be said, killing his own relative without reason, even royalty can't escape that unpunished
But, Zanoba hih his own mother was forced out of the country
”I was forgiven, because I am a miko Because they believe one day I can be of use”
A bit shaken, Cliff looks nervously at my direction
Maybe he hasn't heard about this before
”After that, I even ripped the head of my oife, which precipitated a civil war”
Zanoba has married before
A politically ht he ripped her head off
This caused a crisis in the kingdom
”Even though she said soive, but punishi+ngconflict would not be unreasonable”
Zanoba looks at me as he says this
”But I was not punished”
Then, he sighs, and as matter-of-fact he continues
”shi+sho, do you knohy the kingdom let me live?”
I have no answer
Zanoba continues
”After that, I met shi+sho, and the country kicks this troublesome me out of the country It would be perfectly reasonable to sentence me to death then, but I was merely send abroad I wasn't just exiled, but instead sent to Sharia The kingdo expenses What do you think is the reason?”
I knohere Zanoba is going with this
I get why the kingdom left Zanoba alive
”So at the dom”
I have no answer to Zanoba's strong reasons
Even Cliff can only stare
Only Ginger looks understanding, pained
”Fighting for dom is my duty This is why I'ressions That's why, I dom to be attacked, it'll already be too late Rather, the ene That's why I must make haste”
He's right
As repay hidom
A debt must be repaid, that's only natural
Perhaps, he thought he should have headed back during Pax's coup
But what's past is past
Right now if he starts another insurrection, it will further degrade the nation's coht really face destruction
That's why he will obey Pax, and becodom
I get it
But, Zanoba
This isn't like you
Weren't you a more free, selfish person?
Shouldn't you be saying, [This has nothing to do with me More importantly, look at this doll! Look at these exquisite details!] Aren't you that kind of character?
But I can't say that
That's not right
Honestly, I want to tell Zanoba [You can let this slide]
But, that's not right
” You will get killed”
I only have this to say
Zanoba replies
”If the motherland wants me dead, then I can only die”
Resolutely, he answers
Maybe if you ask the warriors of the old, the soldiers of the old japanese arht answer the same
But, I need to stop him
I don't want Zanoba to die
But, I can't just be straightforward and reject him
Because Zanoba right now is looking straight at me
Or ed
I have nothing to say
I don't knohat to say
”shi+sho, Cliff, please don't look like that”
Zanoba shows a happy smile
His usual smile
”When I was in shi+rone, duty was never a thing onNanahoshi+, after living here, I thought about a lot of things About what my purpose in life is”
And that's how, his conclusion became [protect motherland?]
How did he connect the ti motherland?
I don't get it at all
”Ha, that ht sound presumptuous, even I don't really kno that came about! Ha ha ha!”
Zanoba laughs, but I can't
I don't want to argue about his conclusion
Whether it's right or wrong, it's only up to him to decide
I can only respect his choice
The only thing is, what happens with that choice, that is, if Zanoba dies I don't want that to happen
Zanoba is my dear friend
Thinking back, he has always been by my side
He is the one that came to my aid in shi+rone
When I caht not have the friends I have now
Meeting Rinia and Pursena, that was because of Zanoba's dolls
Without Zanoba, Cliff and I ht now
When ent to the Magic Continent together, he single-handedly held back Atofe
The Magic Ar it would be impossible
Now that I think about it, he has always come to my aid
Moreover, e ether, those are always happy moments
I'm really happy
He always puts me on a pedestal, no matter what I do he showers me with praises
Just being with hi
Maybe others think differently, but for
And it's him, in my future diary, that stood by my side till the end
I can't just stand by and watch Zanoba march to his death
Rudeus Greyrat can't let Zanoba shi+rone die
Oh?
Wait
Future diary?
Suddenly, I realize so
”Zanoba”
”What is it, shi+sho?”
As if only natural I folloith
”I' too”
How Zanoba reacts, theimpression on me
After that talk, I head over to Orsted's place
I spend the day there thinking about the situation
First, Zanoba summoned by his motherland That never happened in the diary
Zanoba was always in Sharia
Right? I don't know for sure, but according to the diary he's always by my side
The diary never mentions any draft notice
Maybe Pax's coup failed? No, rather a coup probably never took place
Either way, this differs from the diary
In that case, ain
Now I think about it, for the past year and a half, I have yet to see another 3 Hitogaether
If Pax is an Apostle, then it's reasonable to expect that he has been working in the background during this time
Orsted has said, [Wait for the opportunity], maybe this is the opportunity he speaks of
Um, this is it
It shouldn't be wrong
I have been training for this exact moment
To help Zanoba
”Orsted-sama!”
Orsted is his usual self, busy writing soh class table
”Ah, Rudeus, what is it?”
I explain the situation to Orsted, who looks scary as usual
That Zanoba has received a draft notice, which didn't happen to Zanoba in the diary
”Isn't this hitoga?”
I said full of confidence, but Orsted just stares at me with his scary face
Eh?
Weird
Did I make a mistake?
”According to the history I'dom will be destroyed due to Pax shi+rone's coup in thirty years”
Orsted, looking terribly scary, answers the troubled me
Wait no, he looks no scarier than usual
” Thirty years?”
”Right”
Orsted explains to me what's supposed to happen
The original history
In other words, when the Metastasis Event never occur and where I was never involved with shi+rone Kingdom
In that history, Pax took advantage of the kingdoes against his enemies
And finally, initiates a coup
The coup was a success, and Pax beca
But by then, Pax has lost his drive and burned out
After beco his kingshi+p
He vacated the throne and proposed a republic
Thus, the shi+rone Republic was born
shi+rone Republic went on to become a powerful nation
It ed to s about half of the current strife zone
Thus, shi+rone Republic becaami
”Hitogami hates that, thus he dodom But”
Because I followed Hitogaed
Both of theshi+p disappeared
shi+rone Republic won't be born
”If Pax becoive birth to a republic”
Orsted looks troubled
In other words, this is exactly opposite of what Hitogami wished for
”This ti,a republic?”
”No, that won't change I have seen similar situations before, in the end Pax always made that proposal”
Regardless of history, as long as Pax becodom will become shi+rone Republic
Kind of like Ariel's situation
The conclusion is destined by fate
As soon as he's king, the rest is set in stone
”Huh? What about Pax in the future diary?”
”Perhaps Pax did not initiate a coup, like Hitogadom remains a small nation”
In other words
Past tiives birth to a republic]
Diary tiashi+p, the republic becomes stillborn]
This tiives birth to a republic]
So like that?
In other words, this ti the scenario to what it supposed to be
”Why would he?”
”It's a trap”
Orsted's words add another layer of fog on the situation
”Maybe Hitogainal situation to kill you off”
Like inwhere you break your own hand to ruin the opponent's [1]
So like that?
”Thus, if you go, Hitogami will likely have a sure-kill trap set for you”
”Can his target be Orsted-sama?”
”That is a possibility, but Zanoba shi+rone is your friend, so he's the bait”
Pax summons Zanoba home
It's pretty ardless
Even though Hitogao or not, but I'll probably take the bait if Zanoba has a high chance of death
Hitogami really knows me well
Hitogami is rather clever this time
”Zanoba o to shi+rone, Hitoga rid of him would help him down the line”
Two birds, one stone
If I come, he'll take care of both of us
If not, just one is fine
”Chances of Zanoba as an apostle?”
”Unlikely in this scenario He's pretty dom”
Quiet, you!
He's very important to me!
Right now, I'ly for him
”Then, what should we do?”
”Just like before, wreck his plans straight up”
” Ah, right”
If Orsted co, it should be easy
Just like what happened with Ariel
It doesn't matter if there's a trap
Even if I'm drawn in like a moth to a flame, I can always just say [Please mister]
Like the light on an angler-fish, he can rush to my aid and easily strike down my enemies
Recently I've been called [Dragon's Underling] or [Dragon's Claw], but truth be told I'on's Lantern]
”But, it's possible too that Hitogami isn't involved”
” Explain?”
”Since this was supposed to happen”
Ah
This was supposed to happen
”What we talked about so far, truthfully are uesses The diary never did mention what happened around this tio home, then returned safely”
Without Hitogami's interference, it happened anyways
Zanoba like the previous was recalled to shi+rone Kingdom, did his job, and returned home safely
Is this possible?
” Em”
”Zanoba in the diary had a bounty on his head due to Milis Considering that, shi+rone would likely bar him from return Or maybe Zanoba hier discarded it for him”
That makes sense
If I calm down and think about it, the diary situation is already different than now
Even if Pax succeeded in his coup in the future diary, Zanoba still had a bounty on his head
Ignoring the existence of a person wanted by the Holy Kingdom of Milis makes a lot of sense too
Holy Kingdohts
If Zanoba returned, those knights would likely consider shi+rone an enemy state
The possibilities are basically endless
”But didn't Hitogadom? Will shi+rone still become a Republic in this situation?”
”He wants to change it but failed That possibility exists Your fate e everything”
Oh, even I can't change history as I please
”Oh”
Just now, Orsted realized so
He's in his thinking pose, with his hand on his chin
”W-what is it?”
”Wait Pax was in the Kingdo before, correct?”
”Right”
”In that case, the possibility that the King there led the coup is high”
”Ah, that's right”
Ah, that's the case
Pax was in Kingdo
In other words, the possibility exists that Pax was manipulated by another apostle there
Thus the possibility exists that Pax isn't an apostle
Rather, soami's apostle
This person is the actual personfrom the shadows this time
”Alright, I shall head to Kingdo and check for apostles there”
Eh?
You're not co with me?
”B-but, if shi+rone Kingdoami's trap then what should I do?”
” If you're scared, then don't go”
In other words, leave Zanoba to die this time?
Well, as Orstedimportant
Orsted proh Zanoba is my dear friend, he isn't family
Ah, then I should just make him family
Ask one of my family members to marry him
Wait, no, that's not right
If it's Zanoba, I won't ht
”Zanoba has helped me In the diary, even till the end, he always helped me”
”I won't leave him to die”
Question is, will I alone be enough to help Zanoba?
No, I don't have to go alone
Who can I send to help Zanoba?
Eris has contacts with Holy Land of Swords, knows souard ar
No, I can't let outsiders know about the ic teleport circles
My mercenary army isn't ready to mobilize yet
”Then you go to shi+rone, I to Kingdoami's plans That's that”
”Okay”
Thinking about it, all sorts of possibilities exist
We definitely need to look for clues and investigate
”Say, I forgot to ”
”Oh”
A promise?
Definitely don't die onlike that?
If he said that, I et nervous
”Don't kill Pax shi+rone, even if he's an apostle”
” Eh?”
”Don't kill Pax shi+rone”
It's that important? That you have to tell me twice?
Ah no, it's because I didn't react the first time
Don't kill Pax
Why Oh, I get it
Because if Pax is killed, shi+rone can't become a Republic
OK BOSS
Even if Pax considers us an enemy, I will let him know beforehand that I won't kill him
”Got it”
But the difficulty has been raised
If Pax wants us killed, but we can't kill him
In that case all I can do is try to avoid getting killed
And bring Zanoba back with me
Eh?
Say, what must Zanoba do before he returns to Sharia?
What does Zanoba want?
National defense?
Then how far does he have to go before he feels satisfied?
Well, forget it
All in all, I'll go first, and try to convince him when the opportunity arises
”Thank you very much, Orsted-sama”
”No need to thank me”
I make a deep boards Orsted and leave the office
But, a Hitogami trap
Zanoba had no co
But, if I told hiht reconsider
And if he reconsiders?
Suppose he refuses, should I tell him?
In order to kill dom
Using you as a bait to kill me off
That's why you shouldn't go, etc
No, that won't do
He'll just say [Even if that's the case, I o] in response
In that case,
then I'll stay quiet for now
Zanobame this time
After I went hoave a report to my family
Recently there is a lot about my business trips that I can't talk about
But since this tiht take a while, I feel I owe them more details
First, our office doesn't have a dom
Instead, I'll purchase a horse carriage at the Kingdodom from there
Last tido to shi+rone
Including investigating on the way, at best I can cut travel time to two months or so
Two months
In other words, travel alone will take four months
Considering that Eris will give birth in about three, there's no way for et back in time
Of course, if I ask Perugius for the favor, we can head directly to shi+rone Kingdom instead