Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 126: Names
Lucius returned to the lodgings.
—It’s been a while since he came back.
The house he returned to after a long absence was bustling. His mother Emily and the twins were tidying up the kitchen.
They were all leaving the residence they had stayed in for two months and returning to the village.
His father, Robel, was also there, under the pretext of accompanying Lord Strauss.
“Hey, Lucius. Did you bring back a big reward?”
His father, Robel, put his arm around Lucius’ shoulder.
“Yes, I did. I brought back a lot of magic steel.”
“Magic steel? What are you going to do with that?”
Robert looked puzzled.
“Of course, I’ll mass-produce magic steel golems.”
Lucius answered with a smile.
“Wait, what—”
Before Robert could finish his sentence, the door burst open.
“Understood!”
“Oh, Alfred.”
Beyond the door stood Alfred, the acting lord of the Ordelve territory.
As usual, he appeared at an incomprehensible time.
Lucius no longer questioned why he was there or the state of his territory. He had doubted several times whether Alfred was actually working, but somehow the work always exceeded Lucius’ expectations.
“You plan to mass-produce magic steel golems to prepare for any external threats, correct!?”
“Well, that’s mostly correct.”
Strictly speaking, it was for the War Emperor and the Lord of the World, but there was no real difference.
“By the way, Alfred, can I ask you to do a few things?”
“Of course.”
Alfred knelt in front of the entrance without hesitation.
“Hey, Alfred-san? How about you come inside the house first?”
“No, Baron Dragoon. When I hear the words of my master, I must listen with my whole body and soul at that moment.”
Robel and Emily exchanged glances. They clearly looked at Alfred as if he were a weirdo.
Lucius no longer bothered to comment. It was just exhausting.
“I’ll be away from the territory for a while. In the meantime, have the Orleans family investigate legends related to dragon species, especially magic dragons and evil dragons. If they exist and harm people, we’ll feed them to the evil dragon.”
“Understood.”
Alfred responded with the devotion of a devout believer receiving an oracle.
“Hey, wait a minute, Lucius. Didn’t you just say something outrageous!?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I just want to evolve the evil dragon.”
Robel and Emily exchanged glances again.
“……”
They had no choice but to remain silent.
“Also, I’m relocating the Kyrgyz tribe to Bulgia. Provide them with houses, clothes, fake-cores, and everything else necessary for their daily lives. Once they’re settled, distribute fake-cores and puppets to everyone in the Oridelve and Silverheart territories.”
“If other nobles criticize or interfere because it’s Pandora’s technology, what should we do?”
Since Olivia was becoming queen, it would likely be recognized as a rational decision eventually. The dwarves might even be able to live outside Bulgia.
However, every transition period has its challenges.
“Basically, ignore them. If they interfere, show them hospitality.”
“As expected of Master Lucius, you understand well.”
Alfred bowed even deeper.
“After Ordelve and Silverheart are equipped, you can distribute puppets and fake-cores to other territories upon request.”
“Should we prioritize the northern territories?”
Lucius shook his head.
“No, any territory that requests them is fine. The next king will probably want that.”
“Understood.”
Alfred responded with the devotion of a devout believer receiving an oracle.
“Hey, Lucius. Didn’t you just say something outrageous again?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’re just distributing techniques to all the citizens.”
Robel and Emily exchanged glances again.
“……”
They had no choice but to remain silent.
“Lastly, deliver 10,000 gold coins to Viscount Girard as a tariff.”
Lucius glanced at Sol, the puppet, quietly sitting in the corner of the room.
“Is that alright? I’ve heard that Viscount Girard is convalescing and unable to speak. Isn’t it unnecessary to give it to him?”
“Rules are rules. Besides, if my predictions are correct, we can deal with the money later.”
Ad
Alfred, as if understanding, smiled slyly.
“Understood, without any issues. By the way, Lord Lucius, where are you heading?”
“I’m going to the Republic.”
“Oh, that’s unusual. It’s rare for that country to allow the entry of diplomats.”
“No, I’ll probably be sneaking in.”
“Ah, I see. Understood.”
Alfred responded with the devotion of a devout believer receiving an oracle.
“Wait! Wait!! Lucius! That’s way too dangerous!”
This time, his father Robel was adamant about not backing down.
“I think it’ll be fine. Probably.”
“…Will it really be okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll definitely come back.”
Robel looked deeply into Lucius’ eyes. Defeated, he let out a big sigh.
“Alright. Then… go.”
“Robel, even you!?”
Ad
It was Lucius’ mother, Emily, who stepped in to stop them.
“Sorry for worrying you, Mom. But I decided to protect something precious to someone.”
Emily’s lips moved slightly as if she was about to say something, but she swallowed it back with effort. Instead, she gave a sad smile.
After a moment, she embraced Lucius.
“That’s right. You are our child, mine and Robel’s.”
“Big brother, are you going somewhere?”
Lucius’ sister Iris, who was at their mother’s feet, looked like she was about to cry, seemingly understanding their mother’s expression.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Saying that, Lucius patted his sister’s head.
The image that flashed through his mind was the scene he saw in the mental world: his sister’s lifeless eyes as she was trapped in a breeding facility.
—I will never let Iris suffer that fate.
“Please come back safely. We’ll be waiting for you.”
The voice that called out from behind his parents was Lauren’s. She was the woman he had once sworn to love in the mental world.
Now that Olivia had become queen, he didn’t know if his relationship with Lauren would unfold as it did in that world or lead to a completely different outcome.
Even so, he kept a firm resolve in his heart to protect her next time. It was both Lucius’ determination and a promise he made to the late Yuu.
“Yeah, I understand.”
Lucius only took a small amount of luggage, enough to fit in one hand. If he was captured, he couldn’t carry anything that suggested ties to the kingdom, so he was essentially going empty-handed.
The only significant items were the treasure sword and the vice-captain’s rapier.
“I’m off for a bit.”
With everyone seeing him off, Lucius left the dormitory, taking only the puppet Sol with him. It was a remarkably simple departure for someone who had saved the country from crisis.
But Lucius was content with that. A journey to fulfill one’s duty, recognized by no one, was just such a thing.
—
In the underground dungeon of the knights’ headquarters.
“Haah, haah, haah, haah, haah…”
Lucial was alone, gasping for shallow breaths.
She had just woken up. After countless deaths, she had finally managed to exterminate the goblins with the power of the treasure sword. Helping the townspeople had always been her goal, but she had struggled to activate the treasure sword.
The sound of footsteps echoed.
The cage was opened, and the restraints binding Lucial’s arms were removed.
“…Who?”
Her mind was still exhausted, and her vision was blurry.
“It’s Lucius. I have a request for you.”
“Lu-Lucius?”
“I need you to come with me to the Republic.”
“The Republic? Why?”
“I need connections. I know the South has strong ties with the Republic. You obtained your special-grade familiar in the Republic, right?”
In the mental world, Lucius had visited temples in the South to obtain a special-grade familiar. All three temples in the kingdom that were said to house special-grade familiar.
But what he found were only first-grade spirits.
So, where did Lucial get her special-grade familiar?
He had heard that the miko (shrine maidens) of the Republic could perform miracles with their songs, which suggested they had contracts with familiars.
“…That’s impossible. Only those recognized can enter the ‘Sanctuary.'”
“I understand it’s dangerous. That’s why I need someone who can survive, defend themselves, and knows the Republic’s inner workings. When I thought about it, your face came to mind. Oh, sorry about mentioning your face.”
Lucius looked at her burnt face.
“Are you really Lucius? Being told I’m expendable is a bit shocking.”
Ad
“I know you did your best. I know you had no other choice. But that doesn’t erase the fact that you tried to sacrifice the North and East.”
What would Lucius have done in the same position?
If he knew the Empire’s fleet was attacking the North, his homeland. If he knew that by assassinating one person, someone he’d never met, he could save the North and his homeland.
Could he confidently say he wouldn’t make such a ruthless decision as a ruler?
Even so, a crime is a crime.
“I don’t have the power to protect the country.”
“I will protect it if you help me.”
“What do you mean?”
“What will you do? Wait here to die for nothing, or help me save the country?”
Lucial took Lucius’s outstretched hand.
“Are you sure? If you take me out without permission, you’ll be held accountable.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem. I received your pardon as part of my reward.”
“…Pardon.”
Lucial’s pale eyes widened. She raised her body, and Lucius drew something from his waist.
“Take this.”
Lucius handed her the vice-captain’s rapier.
“…A magic sword.”
“Familiars can cast wide-range spells, but they’re weak at close quarters. You should at least have a magic sword. It takes some skill to use it.”
When Lucial smoothly swung the rapier, the blade extended fluidly.
The tip extended into the cage across the hallway. It stopped just before the forehead of a man inside.
“Impressive. Have you used a magic sword before?”
“I had to master it in a dream.”
“A dream?”
“Nothing, really.”
Lucial grinned evasively.
In contrast, the prisoner facing the sword tip was Dion.
“Goblins… heh… Mother… won’t let… a single finger… touch her.”
Occasionally laughing, he muttered something. He was clearly insane.
“What do you plan to do with him?”
“What do you want to do, Lucius? If you want, I can kill him for you. Right now, I’m yours.”
“You belong to yourself. Besides, he will be judged by the law.”
“He probably can’t even comprehend his death, let alone argue his case.”
Lucius looked at Dion’s broken expression. It was the puppet Sol who had broken him, but Lucius had no knowledge of that.
“Even so.”
“You’re kind, aren’t you, Lucius?”
—Kind, huh?
Is it considered kindness to keep someone alive only to make an example of them by publicly executing them, to call for unity among the populace and the nobility?
Is it considered kindness to keep someone imprisoned in a state where only pain awaits them?
Is a person truly happy just by being alive?
Perhaps Lady Adelaide and the western nobles, who were instantly consumed by Samael’s light, experienced far less pain.
These questions crossed his mind.
Lucius walked and crouched in front of Dion’s cage. Dion didn’t react at all.
“I do not forgive you. However, I cannot forget the sense of reassurance I felt when you supported me while we faced the undead together.”
The tactic Lucius introduced in this operation involved forming teams of four, combining four different types of techniques.
It was during this operation that Lucius first experienced the effectiveness of such a strategy, through Dion, a master of cannon magic.
That experience undoubtedly saved many lives in this battle.
Lucius stood up again and addressed Lucial, who was emerging from the cage.
“Can you tell me your name?”
“I don’t really have one, but my father calls me ‘Shadow One.'”
It reminded him of his previous life, where he was given the name “Spare No. 1.”
“In that case, I’ll call you Priena for now.”
“Priena?”
“In ancient language, it means ‘beloved shining one.’ It doesn’t have any special meaning.”
“You’re kind, but cruel.”
Her burnt face made it difficult to discern her expression. Yet, it seemed as if she might be either crying or smiling.
“…Let’s go.”
Lucius, along with Priena, set off towards the Republic to gain new power.
From the dim underground prison, the two headed towards the light-filled exit.
Before the cell they had just left, a girl in a dress crouched in the shadows.
“Heh… goblins… mother…”
Observing Dion quietly was Sol.
“Master… was sad… why?”
Sol’s thin arm reached through the cage and rested on Dion’s neck.
“Is it… because he’s still… breathing?”
Sol possessed the strength to tear through steel with her bare hands. Though considered weak compared to top-tier monsters, human flesh was as fragile as thin paper to him.
Gradually, he applied more pressure with her palm.
“Ugh! Ah!”
Dion’s face contorted in agony.
“Sol, where are you?”
Lucius’s voice called out.
Startled, Sol released her grip and stood up.
Among the puppets, the humanoid ones specialized in stealth and assassination. They embodied the distilled essence of countless trials and eliminations throughout history, the core principles of humanoid puppet behavior.
Gifted with Samael’s magic stone and a top-tier false core, Sol exhibited these instincts more strongly than any other puppet.
Sol constantly harbored the urge to sneak up on and curse anyone.
Despite this, the shared purpose with the boy who was her mirror image kept him firmly anchored.
“Sol. I’m waiting, so hurry up.”
Reluctantly, Sol moved towards the outdoors, bathed in sunlight she disliked.
Yet, she did not despise the emotions directed at her by the person waiting in the light. Until she understood the name of these incomprehensible feelings, Sol would continue to observe humans.
“…The light is… waiting.”