Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint
Chapter 317: Farewell, Military State

Historia decided to remain in the Military State.

Her body had been heavily injured from the consecutive battles and she needed time to hone her newfound enlightenment… or at least, that was the official reason.

Of course, the main reason was to protect the Military State and its “secrets.”

Without safeguarding the secrets buried beneath the Communications Headquarters, the Military State could easily collapse.

“Ugh, I mean. I don’t really care what happens to the Military State, but fine. It won’t hurt to have at least one ally here.”

Grumbling with a hint of regret, the Regressor handed a bundle of World Tree Leaves to Historia.

“Here, they’re valuable, so don’t burn them like you always do with normal mana herbs.”

As Historia accepted the leaves, she muttered,

“…You’re not being honest, are you, Cutie?”

“I didn’t give them to you to use! They’re for Nabi!”

“The Cat King? Mana Herbs?”

The Regressor crossed her arms and spoke.

“Yeah. With Maximilien and the catkin lieutenant general gone, there’s no one left to mess with Nabi, but leaving her alone feels risky. Beasts like her, with ambiguous wild instincts and close ties to humans, are easily exploited… So, while you’re at it…”

Her explanation was dragging on.

I decided to help the Regressor out and summed it up.

“He wants you to take care of Nabi. He trusts you and Nabi is useful, so he’d like you to watch over her. The mana herbs are a way to control Nabi and you can smoke them too, so it’s a win-win for you… That’s what he’s trying to say.”

It was a perfect summary.

Historia nodded in agreement.

“…How cute.”

“I wouldn’t call Mr. Shei cute, but he’s definitely not being honest.”

“What nonsense are you spouting about?! I’m not cute! And I’ve never been dishonest!”

Her outburst was pointless.

Wouldn’t it be better if you just took off that mask and talked openly?

How long do you plan to keep crossdressing?

I get it, though.

Claiming to know the future would get you suspected of being a Saintess and you still need to hide your true origins as well.

So it kind of makes sense for her to keep wearing her mask.

But honestly, you’re not that straightforward, are you?

You’re so easy to figure out that I can expose your contradictions with a little push.

“Since we’re on the subject, there’s something I’ve been holding back from asking. I was hesitant because once I say it, there’s no taking it back, but since you claim to be so honest, let me ask you. What should I do?”

“What do you mean?”

“As you know, I’m a weak human whose only talent is talking. I’ve managed to overcome obstacles in the Military State because of my connection to Historia and because I’ve been here since my childhood, but in other countries, that won’t be possible, especially in places like the Fallen Dominion, where strength rules above all.”

“Why are you beating around the bush?”

Because you did the same thing just now, you fool!

I was about to test your self-awareness, but it seems you’ve already failed.

Once again, I kindly explained it for her.

“I’m nothing but an empty shell now. Given how weak I am, wouldn’t it be better for me to stay here?”

“Huh?”

“In other words, Mr. Shei, wouldn’t it be better for you if I stayed behind?”

I feigned uncertainty, subtly asking her to acknowledge my worth.

I could refuse to go unless she begged on her knees, but if I did that, the rebellious Regressor might actually leave me behind.

That wouldn’t help me now or in the next timeline, so let’s avoid that.

This is the best approach.

While the Regressor might not notice my presence, she’d feel a sense of loss if I were gone.

｢Logically speaking, that’s true. He’s not physically strong… He has a few tricks, but without my constant attention, he might just drop dead in a ditch somewhere. Definitely not the most reliable ally.｣

Wait, that’s not what I meant!

｢But in other areas, he’s different. Negotiation, persuasion, exploiting gaps in others… he’s highly skilled. It just so happens that these are my weakest points. Letting him go would be a huge loss.｣

Finally, she acknowledged my value.

Now, all she needs to do is to admit it honestly.

“Ahem. Well, I guess there’s some worry, but you can come along. We’ve got enough people with brute strength anyway.”

“In other words, I’m just a burden to you, right? What kind of person would be proud of that? The party of heroes saving the world… with me carrying their luggage. No, not even that. I am the luggage.”

“No, no! Even luggage has its own value!”

“But it’s still luggage. That doesn’t change the fact that I’m a burden. So… it’s better if I stay here…”

As I stretched out the sentence, the Regressor hurriedly waved her hands.

“N-no! Who cares about strength? We’ve got bonds!”

“Are bonds really that important when saving the world?”

“Not just me! You’re close with Azzy and Tyrkanzyaka too! Motivation matters a lot in things like this!”

“I could easily become a hostage. That’s another reason for me to stay behind.”

“I won’t let that happen! Sure, it might be a little troublesome, but I’ll keep you safe!”

“We’re back to square one. If it’s going to be that troublesome, wouldn’t it be better if I didn’t go?”

“Tch!”

Does she even understand what a contradiction is?

Why is she constantly contradicting herself?

Watching the Regressor flustered, Historia muttered, amused.

“He’s cute. Not honest, but cute nonetheless. I see why you like him, Huey.”

I wouldn’t say I like her—more like, I want to mess with her.

There’s a difference.

Instead of simply admitting that she needed me, the Regressor hesitated and fumbled around.

I waited for her to answer.

Come on, my argument is airtight.

Just admit my value and beg me to come along.

It’s better to have me than to leave me behind, right?

｢He’s weak but useful. It’s best to take him with me, but then again… he’s weak. So then… Oh?｣

The Regressor finally seemed to come up with something and clapped her hands, speaking confidently.

“I’ll make you stronger!”

“…What?”

What?

Huh?

You were supposed to acknowledge my value and ask me to come along.

What’s with this nonsense?

“I know how to make weak people strong because I’ve done it myself. You can do it too! You may have stopped growing, but you’re not that old and since you were a top student, you’re also smart!”

Hey, you’re younger than me.

Don’t forget that just because you’ve regressed.

“If I train you whenever I can, you’ll get stronger! If you feel weak, the answer is to gain strength!”

“What are you saying? That sounds like a lot more work.”

“It’s fine! Consider it an investment!”

｢And if I learn which training methods work best now, I can get him stronger faster in the next timeline! Who knows, maybe he’ll become stronger than Tyrkanzyaka! He could help eliminate two seeds of calamity and be a key connection to the Gunmaster!｣

This is bad.

This is going in a weird direction.

If I say I’m weak, you should reassure me by listing my strengths, right?

That’s the normal, socially appropriate response.

But telling me you’ll make me stronger? Are you a demon?

“Haha, what are you talking about? There’s no way I’d suddenly awaken some kind of power just because I train…”

“…No, it’s not impossible. I think it’s a good idea. No, in fact, I think it’s necessary. It’s exactly what Huey needs.”

“Ria, what are you talking about?”

Historia was more interested than ever, even more so than when I had teased the Regressor before.

“It’s a great idea. No, it’s essential. Strengths… that’s what Huey needed most.”

Wait! That’s not how I get stronger!

Haven’t you heard the story of the King of Humans losing all his power?

Because it’s true!

I’m not weak because I didn’t know how to get stronger!

I’m just average!

Besides, the world isn’t all about strength!

｢Let’s see… For a training regimen, we should start with basic endurance exercises to build up his stamina. Then, we’ll gradually increase the load…｣

This won’t work.

Even Historia is on board with the Regressor’s plan.

If I stay here any longer, they’ll come up with a training regimen that’ll kill me.

I frantically looked around for an escape route.

There!

Up ahead, a large, enclosed automaton carriage was rolling down the road.

It was the one Hilde and Tyr used after receiving word from the Signallers.

The midday sun shone down, casting straight beams of light with no shadows, but they shattered uselessly against the steel box.

Covered in thick armor, the vehicle protected its occupants from all sorts of threats and provided perfect protection from the sunlight.

While it wasn’t specifically designed with vampires in mind, it had exactly the features we needed right now.

Someone poked their head out from the top hatch of the vehicle.

Hilde waved her arms energetically and shouted,

“Father! Let me introduce you to the wonderful Armored Command Vehicle, the Catafract! We’ve prepared everything! Just get on and we’re ready to go!”

Perfect timing.

Hilde, you’re the best.

“Everyone! Everything’s ready! Let’s get going before it’s too late.”

“…100 squats. Jogs in between sets. Forced elixir intake…”

“Let’s go!”

Before they could finish talking about more horrible things, I rushed toward the Catafract, cutting them off.

The Regressor finally started moving too.

The back of the Catafract clanged open, forming a sloped ramp for loading cargo.

I ran up the ramp and shouted,

“Goodbye, Ria! I’m off!”

｢… He’s leaving again.｣

Now that I was actually leaving, Historia seemed to feel a strange sense of unease, like there was something unfinished.

Her attachment to me came from a bad memory.

The Hamelin incident happened after I left.

Recovering her friends’ bodies was a nightmare that weighed heavily on her and served as the catalyst for her new goals. It was something she herself had wanted, but it was a scar born from pain nonetheless.

Historia reached out as if to grab me but stopped herself.

｢It’s different this time. Huey is saying goodbye properly. And… I think he’ll come back.｣

Her decision made, she raised the hand she had started to extend.

Since the gesture hadn’t been intentional, it was awkward.

Waving her hand hesitantly, Historia said goodbye to me.

“Get stronger and come back.”

“I can’t get any stronger!”

She keeps pushing me.

If I do get stronger, do you think you’ll be able to handle it?

If I gain power, the first thing I’ll do is give you a massage disguised as torture.

I’ll show you that a massage can be painful depending on who’s giving it.

…Not that I’d ever be able to hurt her, no matter how much I trained.

And so, leaving behind secrets and friends alike, I departed from the Military State.

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