Chapter 26: Words of Encouragement

“Noah’s company… when did it grow this large?”

“Well… over time, I suppose.”

Standing inside the grand building of my company—situated in one of the most prestigious districts of the royal capital—I allowed myself a small, satisfied smile.

What had once begun as a modest operation, something I had nurtured little by little over the years, had now grown into a full-fledged major enterprise. The polished floors, the steady flow of employees, the quiet efficiency that filled the air—everything spoke of its success.

“It is all thanks to your ingenuity, Noah-sama.”

As Shia and I rested in one of the guest rooms, the door opened, and Lauren entered. Once a simple shop attendant, he had risen through the ranks to become vice chairman of the company—a testament not only to his own abilities, but to the growth of the business itself.

“No, no. My ideas aren’t anything special,” I said with a light shake of my head.

“On the contrary,” Lauren replied firmly. “It was your ideas that allowed us to bring firearm production onto a stable track. Shia-sama has seen it as well, has she not? The way your concepts blossomed into something real?”

“…Well, I suppose.”

In truth, my knowledge of firearms was shallow at best.

I merely offered vague recollections—half-formed notions, fragments of ideas like ‘I think something like this existed’. That was all.

But even such fragments held value.

To bring an idea from nothing—to give it form—that alone was powerful. The skilled craftsmen within the company had taken those crude concepts and refined them, modifying existing firearms into something more advanced, more efficient… something truly formidable.

“Speaking of which… how is that coming along?”

“Production has already begun.”

“Excellent,” I said with a satisfied nod. “But don’t stop improving it.”

“Of course.”

Lauren nodded with conviction, his confidence reassuring.

“What are you talking about?”

From beside me, Shia tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident.

“Hmm… let’s just call it a trump card.”

“…A trump card?” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Noah, your company has been buying up vast amounts of steel, hasn’t it? And yet, no one seems to know where most of it is going…”

“Hey, hey—no digging around!”

“Why not? I’m your sister!” she protested. “I have every right to know! What is it—are you building a battleship or something?”

“Even I couldn’t manage something that big with just a single company,” I replied with a wry smile.

Though… submarines were another matter entirely.

Still, this world had no Britain. The closest equivalent was the North Sea Empire—a nation that resembled a unified Northern Europe. But they remained neutral.

There was no real naval war to fight, no need for unrestricted submarine warfare. Not yet, at least.

“…Well, enough of that. What about the handgun?”

“Right here.”

“Thanks. I lost mine back on the western front—this helps.”

I accepted the handgun from Lauren and slipped it into the inner pocket of my military uniform, the familiar weight settling against my chest.

“…Alright. It’s time I head east. I can’t afford any more detours.”

The Rosha Empire had already begun its offensive on the eastern front.

Time was running out.

“I’m coming with you!”

“…Shia.”

As I rose to my feet, she stood as well, her determination unmistakable.

“That’s not possible.”

“B-but…! I can’t just let you go to the battlefield alone!”

“…With your condition, you can’t even hold a gun. It’s impossible.”

“I can do something! Anything!” she insisted desperately. “I won’t be a burden! And if I am… then leave me behind! If it comes to that, just abandon me!”

“…Don’t say something so foolish.” My voice softened, but it carried weight. “Do you really think I could leave you to die?”

“Why not…? I’m not so weak that I need you to protect me!”

“Please…” I stepped closer, my voice quiet but earnest. “Let me protect you. It’s the only way I can repay everything you’ve done for me. I want to protect you, Shia.”

“…W-what… that’s not fair…”

Her strength seemed to drain away.

“…If you say that… then I can’t argue anymore…”

She sank back into her chair, her shoulders trembling faintly.

“…I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered. “I want to stay with you…”

“…I want that too,” I admitted softly.

Gently, I wrapped my arms around her, holding her fragile form as she spoke in broken, fragile murmurs.

“…Then… why don’t we just run away? We could go to the New Continent… leave everything behind.”

“That’s… a tempting idea.”

“…That’s all?”

“….”

I couldn’t answer her.

Because it wasn’t realistic.

There was no way I could abandon everything now—no ship, no path, no future that allowed for such an escape.

“I’ll be going now, Shia… I want you to see me off with a smile.”

“…You have to come back. Promise me.”

“…I promise.”

Slowly, I pulled away from her embrace.

“…Take care. I’ll pray for your victory.”

There were faint traces at the corners of her eyes—evidence of tears she refused to let fall.

And yet, she smiled.

A fragile, determined smile, offered just for me.

“Yeah… I’m off.”

I returned her smile in kind—

And with that, I turned toward the battlefield once more.