Kays Translations

Chapter 44: Absolute Joins the Battle

A few days after the news reached Princess Leone, Absolute Ark received a summons from the king and went directly to the royal castle to receive the request in person.

“This is a request from the royal family of the Suiroku Kingdom to the Ark family. There has been a civil war in the Suiroku Kingdom. The mastermind is the dark organization Black Fairy. The boss’s name seems to be Evil. Your mission as the representative of the Ark family is to go to the site and assist in suppressing the rebellion.”

Upon hearing the details of the mission, Absolute realized that this was an original event.

This event is the Suiroku Kingdom event. The setting is the Suiroku Kingdom, and it is an event where heroes from different countries come together to fight alongside Princess Leone, who became friends through training.

The enemy is the dark organization Black Fairy. They are a newly emerged force that has taken control of the Suiroku Kingdom’s underworld in just a few years. Although their numbers are small, the fact that their leaders are all capable fighters had left a strong impression.

If the recent exercise was a battle against monsters, then this event’s enemies are humans. It will be an event where they grow by overcoming battles with humans filled with malice.

However, Absolute was puzzled as to why this matter was coming to him, and by extension, to the Ark family.

“A request from the Suiroku Kingdom’s royal family? What does this mean?”

Even though they’re friendly countries, it’s hard to understand why they would specifically name the Ark family. True, the current head, Villain, is arguably one of the most powerful individuals in the world. However, in the Rainana Kingdom, names like “Dragonman” and “Scorching Duke,” both S-rank adventurers, are more renowned.

Calling upon the infamous Ark family, surpassing them, shows a significant level of trust, but could there have been some past incident?

“Ah, let me explain. Do you know that fifteen years ago, the Suiroku Kingdom was at war with the Holy Kingdom?”

Absolute nodded.

The Holy Kingdom is a name on par with the Rainana Kingdom and the Earthswan Empire.

At that time, the Suiroku Kingdom was supporting an enemy nation in its war against the Holy Kingdom. The Holy Kingdom not only had weak soldiers but was also led by a mere figurehead, a young girl. Seeing this as an opportunity, the enemy nation initiated the war.

In essence, it was a war between two nations against the Holy Kingdom. Despite being a great power, it seemed improbable for the Holy Kingdom to win with its inferior military quality. However, the result was that the Holy Kingdom emerged victorious.

The key to victory was a single individual who surpassed the limits of human levels, said to have surpassed level 50, the so-called Transcendent. With the skill to control space, he single-handedly annihilated the enemy nation that initiated the war, earning him the title of the strongest on the continent.

The “Hero of Space,” Chaos Miafield.

“Fifteen years ago, just like before, the Rainana Kingdom sent reinforcements to aid the Suiroku Kingdom.”

“No way…”

“That person was your father. Villain Ark.”

(No way… Fifteen years ago, was that before I was born? Well, if it’s him, he would have undoubtedly returned from a normal battlefield unscathed. A monster who can use expert-level swordsmanship and command high-ranking spirits with his inherent magic without consuming mana. I wouldn’t want to meet him on the battlefield.)

While Absolute did win in a previous inheritance battle of inherent magic, Villain had no intention of killing Absolute. If he had, the outcome might have been a bit different.

“Five thousand knights from the Suiroku Kingdom, led by the Hero of Space, perished in battle. Despite suffering significant losses, Villain’s participation in the battle helped repel the hero. Thanks to his efforts, the war ended, and peace was restored. The Suiroku Kingdom highly values and trusts the Ark family. Hence, the reason for this request.”

“… “

Internally, Absolute couldn’t help but sincerely admire his father’s unprecedented achievements.

(He really pulled it off… I’ve seen it in the original side stories, but the Hero of Space is supposed to be a cheat character, unreachable with his defense by twisting space when attacked and attacking by cutting through space, rendering him practically invincible. My parent is amazing.)

“It’s understandable that you haven’t heard of it. Neither royal family discloses the truth, and Villain doesn’t speak of it either.”

The Ark family must remain in the shadows of the Rainana Kingdom.

Therefore, if the Ark family’s exploits were made public, their power and influence would increase, potentially tipping the balance between light and darkness in the Rainana Kingdom. The royal family must fear this.

But…

“Your words are valid, but the Suiroku Kingdom should be expecting my father, Villain. However, he is currently absent on other business. Even if I were to go, they wouldn’t be pleased on the other end.”

Villain had left for another mission around the time Absolute went for training. He said he wouldn’t be back for two weeks, so he probably wouldn’t make it in time. If that were the case, the task would fall to Absolute. However, going to another country was not the most suitable job for Absolute, who possessed a skill like [Absolute Evil] that created the worst impression when facing opponents.

The king understood that well.

“I am aware of that as well. But isn’t Villain currently on reconnaissance in the Empire? His return is still some time away. Probably, this civil war will be resolved quickly. Currently, you are the only one who can act behind the scenes.”

The king’s assessment was correct.

The progress of this civil war, as written in the original, was unexpectedly swift. That’s because, even if I were to incite a civil war myself, I would want to resolve it quickly. The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it becomes for members of the dark organization.

Nation against dark organization—there are differences in numbers and resources. Ideally, it wouldn’t even come to a fight.

Just like in the end for the original Absolute Ark…

“Will you go?”

“… “

Absolute showed a rare expression of hesitation.

But that’s understandable. Because this event is a depressing one.

In this event, the homeland is ravaged, and Princess Leone, who has lost loved ones, becomes clouded.

Honestly, it’s burdensome for Absolute to deal with her, whom he doesn’t have a good relationship with. But if Absolute doesn’t go, Princess Leone will die.

And then, the Suiroku Kingdom will be taken over by the Black Fairy. Neighboring countries won’t stay silent about this opportunity, and if that happens, war will be inevitable.

(Honestly, I don’t want to go to this event alone. But if Princess Leone weren’t here, Mist and Lady might have died in the exercise.)

Princess Leone fought in the exercise to protect Mist and Lady, who are comrades of Absolute.

Without her, Mist and the others would have died. From the perspective of Absolute, it turns into a form of assistance.

Thinking about repaying that debt makes it easier to make a move.

(Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, repay a debt if you owe one. Even if I’m a villain, I intend to uphold that principle. After all, I am the Absolute Ark.)

“I understand. As the representative of the Ark family, Absolute Ark will head to provide reinforcements.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you. Princess Leone departed two days ago already. Absolute, please make preparations and head out soon.”

The king was relieved upon hearing Absolute’s answer.

However, Absolute felt a hint of suspicion in the words and clouded their expression.

“…Already departed?”

“Yeah, she probably couldn’t sit still. I understand the feeling.”

A slight cold sweat broke out on Absolute’s forehead.

(Wasn’t Princess Leone supposed to be attacked while returning home in the carriage? At the beginning of the event, she’s supposed to be taken hostage, unable to move, and overcome with the hero’s skill. Could this be bad?!)

“I’ll leave immediately.”

Accepting the mission, Absolute hurriedly left the scene.

And thus, Absolute Ark’s participation in the battle was decided.

♢

The participation of Absolute in the Suiroku Kingdom event was decided.

After finishing the conversation with the king, Absolute headed towards the former negotiation agent, who served as both a slave and a negotiator, waiting at the carriage stand.

“Welcome back, Master!”

Ur, the slave maid, wagged her tail happily as she welcomed her master back.

“Welcome back. Shall we return to the mansion right away?”

In contrast, the negotiator interacted with a detached demeanor.

Formerly an enemy, Absolute didn’t concern themselves much with forcing compliance.

Within Absolute, the evaluation of the negotiator was low.

If it weren’t for the rare skill of “Transference,” which allows free and voluntary teleportation at will, he would have been killed long ago.

He was simply a convenient man, that’s how Absolute perceived him.

“I’m going to the Suiroku Kingdom now. Ur, you can return to the mansion, but the negotiator will come with me. Teleport us with the carriage.”

“Huh!? You’re going to the Suiroku Kingdom? Right now?”

“The teleportation location is near the border between Rainana and the Suiroku Kingdom, connected to the mountain path leading to the capital.”

“Wow… that’s quite a pinpoint. But why are you going there in the first place?”

“That’s none of your concern… Well, it might be. Currently, the Suiroku Kingdom is in turmoil due to the dark organization, Black Fairy, inciting rebellion. My objective is to protect Princess Leone and eliminate the executives, who are the main forces of the enemy organization.”

“What?!”

“Master! Ur wants to go too!”

The negotiator’s expression stiffened at Absolute’s words. In contrast, Ur, with shining eyes, raised her hand, appealing to Absolute.

“No, it’s not possible. Where we’re going is a real battlefield. It’s too soon for you.”

　

Absolute firmly rejects Ur’s plea.

Ur, even from Absolute’s perspective, is a girl with exceptional talent when it comes to combat. She has been learning and training under Absolute, one of the top performers in this world, for the past five years, and has grown immensely.

Absolute’s decision to stop Ur isn’t out of a benevolent intention to keep children away from the battlefield. It’s because, at this moment, there are two individuals among the enemies whom she cannot match in power, and if things proceed according to the original story, there might even be three.

Despite being bound by a slave contract, Ur would never betray Absolute. For the sake of avoiding Absolute’s downfall in the future, she’s the only one who can be trusted here since she doesn’t exist in the original story.

“Master! Ur wants to become stronger and be of more use to you!”

“…You want to be of use to me?”

“Yes, that’s right! I want to be useful to you!”

Ur gazes straight into Absolute’s eyes.

With determined eyes harboring a strong will, she’s serious. It’s clear that she genuinely wants to become stronger for Absolute’s sake.

Internally, Absolute is surprised by this.

Born as Absolute, with the skill “Absolute Evil” making him disliked by others, he rarely had others do things for him.

Even if they had a good relationship, Ur and Absolute were still in the relationship of slave and master. He thought it was inevitable for her to resent him deep down.

(Maybe Ur and I could develop a different kind of relationship in the future, not just master and slave. Alright, I’ll take her with me… It might be a good opportunity. In the Suiroku Kingdom event, there’s a guy who’s like a superior version of Ur. If she fights him, Ur will surely grow rapidly. Thinking about it, it’s not a bad idea.)

In a slightly coerced manner, Absolute decides to let her accompany him.

Internally, there’s a conflict about whether it’s okay to expose Ur to danger.

However, there’s no hint of hesitation in Absolute’s expression.

“…Fine, do as you wish. But follow my instructions.”

“Yes! Thank you, Master!”

“Um, what about my opinion…”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. You will do as I say. If you refuse, I’ll kill you.”

In stark contrast to Ur’s warmth, Absolute’s words are cold and cutting. The negotiator trembles inwardly at Absolute’s statement. The only reason Absolute keeps the negotiator, who was originally an enemy, alive is because his skill has some utility. If he becomes useless, he’ll be killed. That was the underlying meaning behind Absolute’s earlier words.

“…Alright, I understand.”

Though grumbling under his breath, the negotiator obediently complies.

But Absolute fails to notice the defiance in his eyes.

He doesn’t yet know that it will lead to consequences later.

“Alright, let’s head out immediately.”

And so, the three of them, along with the carriage, teleport away to chase after Leone.

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