kscans

Chapter 209 - The Two's Future

When Hayato logged in again that night, it seemed Ney and the others had already finished their exploration and returned to the campsite.

Ney's energy still showed no signs of waning, and she was making a ruckus with the members of Kokuryu, Black Rose, and the Dragon Busters. Hayato wondered how she could maintain that level of energy while logged in all day, but figured she must have been that stressed out and decided not to say anything.

Watching them with a fond smile were Relic and Sonia.

"Can't keep up with that level of energy, you two?"

Relic and Sonia looked at Hayato. Sonia gave a slight wave, and Relic bowed his head.

"It's nice to be young. Even knowing it's a game, they can have that much fun. It's refreshing to watch."

"Could it be that you didn't enjoy it, Sonia-san?"

Sonia and Relic had regained their real-world memories. They had accompanied the exploration because they believed this world was real. It was unclear if they could enjoy it now that they recognized it as a game. It wasn't that old people don't play games, but some people disliked spending time on games regardless of their age.

As Diite had said, they had no reason to live in virtual reality. They would probably see this exploration through out of a sense of duty, but what would happen after was uncertain. Hayato would be happy if they continued to enjoy this game, but there was a chance they might quit. The thought made Hayato a little sad.

As if sensing Hayato's thoughts, Sonia smiled and shook her head.

"What are you talking about? If I were younger, I'd be making a racket with everyone else. But maybe because I've become aware of my real body, I'm tired today. It's probably just my imagination, but I wonder if our real bodies affect us even in virtual reality."

"I kind of know what you mean. I've experienced it myself."

If realistic pain is inflicted in virtual reality, it can affect the real body. Conversely, if one remembered the state of their real body, it was possible their virtual body could be affected by it as well. Even if their virtual body never got tired, Relic and Sonia had logged out, returned to reality, and remembered their original, weakened bodies. Hayato thought that might be what was affecting them.

Hayato himself had injured his leg in reality. It was healed now, but he couldn't move it well in sudden situations, both in reality and virtual reality. The mind and body were probably inextricably linked. Thinking about it, Hayato felt somber, even though it wasn't about him.

"Hayato-sama, there's no need to worry. This one was making a racket with Ney-sama and the others just a little while ago. Honestly, I wish she'd act her age."

"Why'd you have to reveal that? This was the part where I show off a bit of weathered melancholy, you know?"

"And what's the point of showing that off?"

Hayato was a bit taken aback. They were both surprisingly cheerful. He had thought they would be worried or brooding about their future, but there was no sign of that. In fact, they were acting just like they always had. Before the Council meeting, they had been in such a solemn state that it felt daunting to even talk to them, but that was completely gone.

"Are you two really okay? I thought it might be tough after regaining your memories."

"No particular problems. I was surprised it had been 100 years, but that's about it. I'm all alone in the world anyway. It wouldn't matter if 1000 years had passed. What about you, Relic?"

"It's much the same for me. I'm concerned about what happened to Anneliese, but I've asked Diite-sama to look into it. As long as I know that, it's enough."

"You're both surprisingly tough."

Relic smiled at Hayato's words.

"If the world has gotten better than it was back then, there's no problem. If it had gotten worse, my feelings would be different, but the world now, while distorted, can be said to have recovered. It's a good thing to have hope for the future."

"I see. That's how you think about it."

"However, we were in virtual reality during the difficult times. I do feel a sense of guilt towards the people of that era. The prison warden at Prison back then was a useless fellow, but if his organization is now effectively ruling the world, he must have contributed to the recovery in some way. It's hard to believe, though."

Hayato nodded. That was a natural feeling for a normal person. To run away during hard times and come back with a straight face once things had settled down. If you did that at work, you would definitely be resented, and you would want to kick someone like that out. However, the people from Relic's era were gone. And due to various circumstances, one could say Relic and the others had no choice but to escape.

"I don't think you need to feel guilty. Besides, you talk about the people of that era, but they're not around anymore, are they?"

"That is indeed true. The people from that time are no longer alive. There is no need to feel guilty. However, personally, I question the idea of receiving benefits from something others have built without contributing anything myself—not something a hacker should say, is it?"

Relic was laughing, but Hayato gave a wry smile, at a loss for a reply. And he thought. The words "I can't just receive benefits" could also be taken as "I can't live in the real world."

"Relic-san, do you plan to live only in this virtual reality?"

A straight pitch, right down the middle. Thinking there was no point in beating around the bush, Hayato asked directly. Relic placed his right hand on his chin.

"I have not yet decided. I told Diite-sama I would decide by the end of this exploration. However, either way, I will probably not erase my memories."

"I see… Sonia-san, you too?"

"I plan to go along with Relic's decision. At this age, I don't know what I'd do alone, whether I stay here or live in reality. Either way, I'll just be Relic's chess opponent."

"Good grief. So my rotten luck with you will continue."

"Did you hear that, Hayato? Is that what you say to a partner you've been with for so long? When will he ever learn to say something considerate… Just getting older without getting any better, what a hopeless case."

Relic gave a wry smile at Sonia's counterattack.

(Speaking as another man, he's just embarrassed. I'd like to think of it as an advanced form of tsundere. Though as a woman, she probably wants him to say it properly in words.)

Even if you know, whether you can practice it is another story. Even Relic, who was much older than Hayato, reacted that way, which made Hayato a little happy. In any case, no matter the outcome, it wasn't like he wouldn't be able to see Relic or Sonia again. If he could meet them anytime, there would be no problem with them choosing to live only in virtual reality.

Just as Hayato was thinking that, Ney came over.

"Hayato, if you're here, say something! Let's party together!"

"Ney, you need to calm down a bit. I get that you want to celebrate, but…"

"You don't get it! The last few days have been really tough! And I couldn't play the game, so my stress is through the roof! I'm also frustrated that I was the only one who didn't get a vacation! So, after we're done exploring here, we're taking a vacation at the lake!"

"Well, good luck with that. By the way, were you able to clear the two buildings?"

"That's no problem. We cleared them properly. Thanks to that, we can go to the lake building tomorrow, so be prepared… Alright! Let's party even harder as a pre-exploration festival! Relic, Sonia, you two should liven up more!"

Ney, with her energy unabated, charged towards Rosalie.

"Rosalie! What kind of swimsuit were you wearing on your vacation!? I heard it was something amazing, so show me!"

"Don't yell it out so loud!"

Relic and Sonia watched this exchange with another fond smile.

"We've caused the young lady Ney a lot of trouble."

"So it seems. And you as well, Hayato-sama. I will spend the rest of my life repaying this debt."

"That's too much. And you're repaying the wrong person. I didn't do anything, and I couldn't do anything, so please don't worry about it. Though, I would like you to repay Ney in various ways."

This time, all Hayato had done was negotiate and talk. He hadn't done anything to deserve their gratitude. Relic shook his head and looked at Hayato. His gaze was gentle.

"It is true that Hayato-sama did not have the power to resolve matters directly. But did you not appeal to Ney-sama and the others for us? It is not true that you did nothing."

"Well, maybe, but I just asked Ney."

"Do you think Ney-sama would act on a simple request? It was because it was Hayato-sama's request that Ney-sama acted. Besides, if Sonia or I had asked Ney-sama, we would not have achieved this result. And despite being caught up in this, Hayato-sama did not abandon us. Repaying this debt with the rest of my life is not nearly enough."

"No, no, no, saying that much is actually scary. I just brushed off the sparks that fell on me…"

As Hayato and Relic were talking, neither willing to concede, Esha came over.

"Are you two flirting again? Shall I shoot you in the forehead one more time?"

The words made Relic laugh a little.

"Come to think of it, I was defeated. I used to boast that Esha had never once defeated me, but I can no longer boast about that to my old clan members."

"It was never something to boast about. In fact, Ivan and Cecil used to boast about the number of times they were defeated. Shall we work on getting your count up so you can boast?"

"I'll pass. If I were to beat those two, double digits wouldn't be enough."

Hayato was amazed at how many times they must have been defeated, but then reconsidered that it seemed plausible for those two.

"Well, that aside, Master, please start making food. The banquet is just beginning. I have to eat to make up for my late start. A full course of sweets, please."

"That's fine, but something occurred to me. If you eat a lot in virtual reality, could it affect your real body? And recently—"

"I see. Master wants to boast about the number of times I've defeated him."

"I don't want to boast, so please don't point that gun at me. I'm sorry, I won't say another word."

Relic and Sonia laughed at Hayato and Esha's exchange. Hayato decided not to say anything more unnecessary and busily started preparing food.