kscans

Chapter 393 - Change and Unchanging

"Sempai!"

Ox finally realized someone was calling him.

He must have been lost in thought for quite some time, as Miliara was peering at his face with a worried expression.

"My apologies, it seems I was pondering various things."

"That’s unusual for you. Well, it is a battle against Imperial, so I suppose you have a lot to think about if we’re going to win."

That wasn’t what he had been thinking about, but Ox decided to let it be, figuring a serious explanation would be pointless.

What he had been thinking about was Amanda, Hypnos, and Nanagi.

(To think they would execute such a plan. It’s one thing to say you have to do the impossible to outwit an opponent, but something this eccentric has a low chance of success. When I first heard it, I thought it was impossible… They must want to win badly enough to take on such a significant risk.)

Ox acted efficiently in both work and play. Even if he didn’t think so himself, from an outside perspective, his dedication was considerable.

Perhaps because of this, he was also quick to give up.

He could predict the outcome of certain things without even trying. If he judged that the result wouldn't be worth the time invested, he would quit immediately. This was true for work, for play, and for his relationships with people.

(Maybe my colleagues left because they disliked that part of me. Perhaps my desire to get back at Rauxal is a mistake.)

In his real-world job, Rauxal had stolen his work. Not only that, but several of his subordinates had also been poached.

He didn't resent his subordinates. If he were offered a better position, he would do the same. He would probably even part ways with Miliara and Heath if it came to that.

It wasn't that he lacked sentiment or was emotionally detached. He simply weighed everything on a scale and chose the side that tipped even slightly. It was just that the weight he placed on human relationships was extremely light.

Recently, though it had only been a few days, that weight had changed just a little.

He had heard Amanda and Hypnos’s plan and, while thinking it impossible, accepted the job because the pay was good. Ox analyzed that this had been the catalyst for his own slight change.

It was clearly a gamble with poor odds. Despite that, Amanda and the others trusted Ox’s group and went ahead with the plan. What’s more, they were paid in advance. He had been surprised they could trust people they had only just met that day to such an extent.

(We aren't taking any risks. Our role ends when we deliver the message at the appointed time. And since only one of us needs to succeed, maybe it’s not that Amanda’s group trusts us. But…)

"What if you don’t follow the plan? Then we were just idiots, that’s all."

That was how Amanda had laughed and replied to Ox’s question about what would happen if they all betrayed her.

She didn't speak of hate or resentment. She just said they would have been foolish.

They hadn't devised this plan out of desperation. If so, then he had to assume that Amanda and her group trusted them. Of course, one could say they had simply prepared a reward Ox and the others wanted, but it was several times better than being told in words that they were trusted.

At the very least, Ox felt he would not betray Amanda’s group after hearing those words.

(Me, Nestor, Lutz, and Loana, we all have a professional relationship with Amanda’s group. I wonder what the relationship is between Amanda, Hypnos, and Nanagi. Despite it being a plan where one wrong step could cost them their lives, Hypnos carried it out, and Amanda and Nanagi are determined to see it through. I wish I could have talked with them a bit more…)

Amanda and her group were bound by a strong trust he rarely saw even in the real world. Though their individual objectives seemed to differ, Hypnos had unhesitatingly executed a plan that involved his own sacrifice.

One could dismiss it by saying he was an AI, but there were times Ox wondered if that was all there was to it. He even felt a sense of respect for Hypnos, who lived a life more human than any human.

Ox’s thoughts drifted from the upcoming battle to what lay beyond. He wanted to witness for himself what results his actions would bring.

The only problem would be Hayato and Diite, who were the linchpins of the plan. But Hypnos had seemed to trust them.

"I know Hayato and Diite better than anyone. Besides, Diite is my future self. No, is it the other way around? I am Diite’s past. There’s no doubt, they will absolutely do it. If they move as we predict, we win."

Hypnos, being the same original AI, had said that predicting Diite’s thoughts was easier than predicting the weather on Earth. Similarly, he claimed to understand Hayato’s thoughts and actions as if he were reading an open book.

(I'd like to have a long talk with Hayato sometime. I wonder what kind of person he is to be trusted so much by an AI… or does it just mean he’s simple?)

"Sempai! I just got word from Heath that he’s driven Imperial to the designated location! Your orders, please!"

A loud voice in his ear brought Ox back to his senses.

"Ah, my apologies. Well then, shall we go defeat Imperial?"

"...Oh?"

"What is it?"

"N, no, I just thought you said that with a lot of confidence. It's unusual, but I think that part of you is cool too!"

"Is that so… Right, how about we go for drinks in the real world after the battle is over today?"

"Wha!?"

"My treat for everyone. Heath and the other clan members can take the whole day off instead of just the morning, and we’ll head straight to my favorite izakaya."

"...Oh, so that’s how it is…"

"Let’s crush Imperial so we can have a victory toast."

"You’re right. I feel like rampaging for some reason, so I’ll do my best."

"I see. Do your best. I’m counting on you."

With that, Ox picked up his giant, beloved shield and headed toward the area where Imperial was waiting.

Nanagi stood in an empty field.

The weather was fine, the wind was calm, and though he could hear the sounds of battle in the distance, the vibrant voices were almost pleasant to Nanagi’s ears right now. It had been a long time since his heart was this calm, perhaps even the first time in his life.

Memories of being with nature or the voices of others were from a past so distant he could not recall it. This place was also a virtual reality, so technically it wasn't nature, but he decided that if this was the world he lived in, then it was undoubtedly nature.

As he was thinking this, he heard the sound of grass being stepped on from behind him.

"Is it just you?"

"You still don't attack without a word. You haven't changed."

When Nanagi slowly turned around, he saw Simon and Benitsuru.

Simon was on guard, but Benitsuru was as natural as ever. He used to dislike that natural air about her, but now he had enough composure to tolerate even that.

"Benitsuru, this is our final contest. Let us settle it here."

"Eh? Final? I’ll fight you tomorrow, too, you know?"

"Are you saying you’ll keep me company until I win, or until I give up?"

"If you want, I’ll fight you for as long as you like! It is no trouble, or something like that!"

Nanagi smiled at the ever-unchanging Benitsuru. Then he began to laugh.

Benitsuru and Simon were astonished. Their expressions were the perfect picture of someone whose eyes had turned into dots.

After laughing for a while, Nanagi let out a deep breath and looked at Benitsuru.

"I have always hated you."

"A surprise psychological attack!? I, it’s not working on me!"

"What are you saying with those teary eyes. But look, for someone like me who has nothing, it’s impossible to like someone like you, who is young, talented, and loved by all."

It wasn't that he wanted to be like Benitsuru. And people don't grow on platitudes alone. Nanagi believed it was precisely because of negative emotions that humanity had progressed this far.

"Is this one of those things where you put me down before lifting me up? Ren-chan said something like that. Am I being courted right now…?"

"You’re as foolish as ever. I just couldn't stand how someone like you, who lives so carelessly, could be so strong."

Benitsuru tilted her head.

"But like, is that my fault? You hated me for something I couldn't help?"

"Of course. It is an emotion humans have had since birth for the have-nots to envy the haves. But recently, I’ve had a thought."

"A thought?"

"I thought you were strong because you were overflowing with talent in swordsmanship, but I have reconsidered."

"Does that mean I don't have talent…?"

"That's not it. I'm saying talent alone can't make one that strong. Or rather, I've come to think the word ‘talent’ is just a word of jealousy given to those who were excellent in the end. Or an excuse for when you lose."

The reason Nanagi thought so was Amanda.

Amanda was a Genetically Enhanced Human. She possessed a mind and body far superior to ordinary humans. But simply having such an excellent body was meaningless. To master it, she needed to put in blood-curdling effort.

Back at the research institute, Amanda had been forced to do many things in the name of experiments. The details made even Nanagi frown when he heard them.

"What kind of training did you do as a child?"

"Eh? Me? As a child…?"

"I’m asking what you did as the successor to the Azuma-ryu sword style."

"Umm, I think my grandpa attacked me with a wooden sword from morning till night. It was pretty awful for a kid. I thought I would literally die if I didn't get stronger and fight back, so I fought back with all my might… I think…?"

Having said that much, Benitsuru tilted her head.

(It would be fine if she regains her memories from that… no, more importantly, it seems those who have risked their lives for something are stronger after all. I'm still too soft. It's no wonder I couldn't win.)

As Nanagi was thinking this, Benitsuru’s puzzled expression turned into a smile.

"Oh, well! So, what about it?"

"I just wanted to know the secret to your strength. I see now that I am still lacking. In my current state, I likely cannot reach you. But I need to know just how great the gap is now."

After this battle, Nanagi would never see Benitsuru and Simon again. He had set it up so that if he lost, he would enter cryosleep for nearly a hundred years. For that reason, he was trying to burn Benitsuru’s movements and strength into his mind.

"What have you been talking about this whole time? Have you forgotten that this is two against one?"

Simon, who had been listening silently, stared at Nanagi with an exasperated look.

He could have arranged to call only Benitsuru to this place, but there was a reason for calling Simon too.

"I called you here to be a witness. Just watch the battle between me and Benitsuru."

"...Even if the princess can defeat you alone, is there any reason I should grant that wish?"

"If you are a samurai, I believe you would grant my wish, even if I am a scoundrel."

"Hmph…"

At the word ‘samurai,’ Simon’s lips formed a pout.

"It's fine, it's fine. It seems Nanagicchi desires a one-on-one duel with me. I don’t really get it, but if that’s what he wants, then that’s what we’ll do!"

Benitsuru said, drawing her sword.

Simon pondered for a moment, then moved a short distance away.

Nanagi said a silent "I thank you" in his heart and fixed his gaze on Benitsuru.

"Don’t hold back. Come at me with all you have."

"That’s fine, but aren’t you going to wear your Hannya mask?"

"It narrows my field of vision."

"Hmm? For someone who says you can’t reach me, you seem pretty serious, don’t you? Like you’re more fired up than usual?"

"I believe I cannot reach you, but I have no intention of losing."

That was a lie; he knew he would lose. But he wanted to feel just how great the gap was. So that he wouldn’t forget that sensation until the next time he awoke, Nanagi focused his senses and readied his sword.

Benitsuru likewise readied her sword.

"I didn’t dislike you, Nanagicchi."

"W, what?"

"I can’t forgive you for hating me or tricking me, but you kept everyone in the Ten Swords together, and I thought you were a really amazing adult."

Nanagi, though flustered, tried to calm his heart.

"I even wondered if this is what a father is like."

The heart he was trying to calm was thrown into further disarray.

A samurai who shows loyalty to his lord instead of seeking strength. He had considered that there might have been such a way of life.

For a moment, he thought it wasn't too late, even now, but Nanagi shook his head and discarded the idea.

(I thought I wouldn't be swayed no matter what was said, but to be shaken by such words shows I still have a long way to go. I've had many chances to live a happy life before. But whether I had my real-world memories or not, I've avoided that path. I don't want to live happily, I want to feel the reality of living in a place free from the shackles of a physical body.)

Nanagi snorted.

"In that case, is Simon the mother? I refuse to be married to this one."

"I refuse as well!"

"Ah, yeah, having Simon as a mom might be a little tough for me too… I mean, isn’t it weird that she’s stricter than my real family?"

"Gnnn…!"

Simon looked as though she might charge in at any moment, but perhaps respecting her role as a witness, she seemed to be holding herself back.

The atmosphere in the area had lightened, but that was not what Nanagi wanted.

After taking a deep breath, he once again readied his sword.

"I don’t know what your intention was in saying that, but don’t expect me to have a change of heart now. I am a scoundrel who was jealous of someone young enough to be my own child and continued to deceive them to bring them down. But that is what it means to be human. I have no intention of changing my way of life now."

"It’s not that I’m expecting that, but it feels like this is really our last battle, so… oh, are you going somewhere?"

"...That’s right. After this battle, I intend to go on a long journey with the members of the Ten Swords. We will never meet again. I will, at least, remember you both. As nourishment for the strength I will one day obtain."

"I was thinking of throwing you in jail again after this fight, but if you can escape anytime, there’s no point. I don’t know if we’ll never meet again, but you can go wherever you want. As the princess of the Eastern Country, I’ll allow it. Do as you see fit, or something like that!"

Simon sighed at those words but did not particularly object.

"It's not as if I need your permission, but I will thank you. Now, the talking is over. Show me your strength."

In less than a minute, Nanagi was lying on his back, looking up at the sky.

(Just a single blow… It reached, but it’s distant. Endlessly distant. But I was able to see a glimpse of a place a person can reach. Then I, too, should be able to get there someday.)

Nanagi’s eyes were open, but his vision was gradually darkening. As the leader of his clan, having lost, he was not permitted to remain on this battlefield.

Moving only his gaze, he looked at Benitsuru and Simon.

(This is the end of our ill-fated connection… Take care.)

Nanagi burned the image of the two into his eyes before closing them.

For a brief moment, he imagined a happy life in the Eastern Country with Benitsuru, Simon, and all the members of the Ten Swords, before letting go of his consciousness.