Chapter 171 A Solution Not Found
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I stood beside the regular soldier-san, watching the Aarem play¹ rehearsal while desperately trying to mentally retool the Part-time Leader’s dialogue.
”It’s no use,” the regular soldier-san regular soldier-saned, voicing the exact thoughts I was struggling with. “Even if I try to optimize the script, there are so many flowery fillers that ‘optimizing’ just ends up shortening the lines until they’re meaningless.”
He turned toward me, looking for an alternative. “What do you think, Tatara?”
”I’m in the same boat,” I admitted. “If we’re going this route, maybe we should…”
I figured it would be better to frame the lines as if he were facing a superior foe.
My mind drifted to a certain Night of Fate² anime—specifically the scene where the iron-wrought Archer unleashes his trump card against a Great Hero.
If you want a line that sounds cool while acknowledging your opponent’s strength, that’s the gold standard.
”Got something in mind?” he asked.
”It’s a line from a story I know,” I said. “‘What you challenge is a world of infinite blades, the absolute pinnacle of steel. Step forward without fear.’”
”Hoh. With a bit of tweaking, that might actually work for the Head of the Torakuma family.”
”Just so you know,” I added, “those are the lines of an archer facing a Berserker who’s way out of his league.”
”An archer claiming to be the pinnacle of blade-work? That’s a bit backward, isn’t it?”
Well, the lines only work because the trump card itself is so iconic. Even if people say the grammar in the chant is a mess, there’s no denying how cool it sounds.
”By the way,” I continued, “the guy who says it dies immediately after successfully stalling for time.”
”He dies? So it was just a suicide mission?”
”Well, the guy he was fighting had the blood of the gods. Anything below a certain level of divinity couldn’t even scratch him, and you had to kill him twelve times before he’d actually stay dead.”
”What kind of monster is that?”
”Word is, the Archer managed to take six of his lives before going down.”
”Taking half the lives of a god-blooded freak? That’s insane.”
”In the original setting, once that monster took a hit, he’d develop an immunity to that specific attack. It wouldn’t work a second time.”
”Then how the hell did he kill him six times!?”
I talked him through it, letting his well-timed retorts wash over me.
In the original work, the Archer taking half the Hero’s lives happened off-screen, so I never expected they’d actually animate the beginning of that fight.
It gave us some legendary lines, though it was a shame they cut the dialogue that immediately preceded it.
”Anyway, those are his lines. We could adapt them slightly for the Part-time Leader.”
”He’d probably be able to memorize those… but wait. Does the Great Hero not have any cool lines of his own?”
”Not really. He’s been stripped of his sanity and his ability to speak. That’s the whole point of being a Berserker.”
”I guess that’s why they call them mad warriors…”
Actually, he does leave some parting words right as he dies.
And in the spin-offs, he’s an incredibly gentlemanly conversationalist—though finding that out was a bit of a shock.
In this world, reproducing that specific story is basically impossible.
Summoning heroes of the past is technically doable if you have a Summoning Stone³, but most heroes don’t leave stones behind.
Besides, the souls of those in Summoning Stones are managed by the head gods of each religion.
If you tried to use one selfishly, the church would send a hit squad of Inquisitors and Cathedral Knights after you.
You’d be drowned in the violence of numbers before your summoned hero could even finish their introduction.
Thinking about that makes the story of the Former Emperor clashing with a God-Slayer feel all the more lonely. Depending on the ending of that game, you could talk to her reincarnation, but that wasn’t considered the ‘true’ history.
”By the way,” the regular soldier-san asked, “is there a role that would fit my King?”
”That’s a tough one.”
Given his fierce reputation, the King of Conquest from the first story might fit, but he’s more likely to be seen as a Final Boss type, like the King of Heroes.
As for the Knight King—the ‘Ideal King’—our King doesn’t really carry any regrets other than losing his wife.
In a previous installment, when the Demon Lord tried to tempt him, the King refused to turn back time, saying that ‘undoing the past would be a betrayal to the comrades who helped build this nation.’
”Actually, I can think of a perfect role for you, regular soldier-san.”
”Me?”
”Yeah. He’s a spearman—a Lancer. He’s got that ‘big brother’ vibe, totally chill enough to befriend his enemies during downtime. And his abilities are top-tier.”
”Heh. So that’s how I look to you, huh?”
Watching the regular soldier-san sound genuinely pleased, I thought, (Yeah, you’re definitely the Child of Light⁴.) His luck is abysmal, but his actual skill is at the top of the heap.
Based on his feats, he’s probably even more powerful than he realizes—easily on par with the Great Hero.
Too bad he dies in every single story route.
When I started describing his weapons and his personality, he actually got embarrassed. “I’m not that cool, kid,” he muttered, but I knew the role would fit him like a glove.
”And the Former Emperor… he’s more like the Archer who brought down the stars from that same series.”
”Oh? Tell me about him.”
He sounded intrigued. I love talking about this stuff, so I didn’t need much prompting. I kept the names vague, telling him the saga of the star-gazing travelers and the heroes who crossed their paths.
It’s a massive epic, so I had to simplify it, but I made sure to capture the charm of the companions. Finally, I reached the climax: the moment the Archer shoots down the Moon Goddess.
”The Archer discards the role the world forced upon him,” I said, my voice dropping into a dramatic register. “He pours every ounce of his existence into one final arrow. And he calls out to the Goddess: ‘A lonely sky doesn’t suit you. Now… come down to earth!’”
I gave the line everything I had. I’d always wanted to hear this fully voiced, but it never got an anime or a drama CD. Such a waste.
”‘──Because I’m falling… right along with you.’”
I whispered the last part, letting the tension bleed out into a soft, loving confession. That’s how I interpreted it when I read it.
If he said it with that gentle expression, it had to be out of love. I really wish the developers had given us audio for that… though it’s not like I have a way to listen to it now anyway.
”And so, with a heart full of love, the Archer brought down the Moon Goddess. But his body couldn’t handle the strain of a shot that surpassed the limits of mortality, and his life scattered into the wind…”
I finished the story and looked the regular soldier-san in the eye.
”To me, the Former Emperor—His Majesty—is just like that Archer. He’s a man who would stake his life and his very soul for the sake of the one he loves.”
”…No,” he said, his smile turning self-deprecating. “I don’t think he’s that devoted. He couldn’t even follow her into the grave.”
I immediately shot that down.
”He weighed his own heart against the country he built with her—a country that was like their own child—and he chose to protect it. I can’t imagine how much that hurt. I’ve never been in his shoes, so I can’t claim to know his heart… even when he was on the brink of madness, he chose to keep protecting this kingdom because it’s what she wanted. He swallowed his grief, his desire to die and be with her, and gave himself to the people. If a man like that found out he could free his beloved from her suffering just by sacrificing himself… I am certain he would make that same choice every single time.”
The regular soldier-san let out a long, heavy breath, as if venting a lifetime of complicated emotions. He looked… refreshed.
”Seriously, Tatara… you really are a terrible judge of character, aren’t you?”
”That’s just mean!” I protested.
Why did I get insulted after such a moving speech? Oh well, he looks happy, so I’ll take the win. But wait—I was supposed to be fixing the script for the Aarem play. We got totally sidetracked.
”Alright, Tatara.”
”Yeah?”
”About the play. Our little chat just gave me an idea on how to fix the whole thing.”
”Wait, really? Are you going to use lines from the stories I know?”
”No,” he said. “Not those.”
The light glinting behind his visor was piercing. The sheer pressure of his gaze made me take a step back.
”Tatara. I don’t know how, but you know the Founding King’s secret declaration. Don’t you?”
”…Yes. I won’t deny it.”
”I won’t ask how you know. I’ll let the City Mayor-san investigate that and wait for her report. But tell me this one thing.”
The pressure coming off him was becoming suffocating. Calmys-san stepped in front of me, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her sword to shield me from the intensity.
”Relax, I’m not going to eat him,” the regular soldier-san chuckled dryly, though he didn’t lower the pressure. “I suppose you’re just being protective.”
He shook his head and leveled his gaze at me again.
”You possess records of the greatest turning points in this world’s history… am I right?”
”…And if I did? Why would you think that?”
”Well, that record you mentioned is one reason. But more importantly…”
He shifted his gaze toward the Chefs. I see. If he knows who they really are, he can guess where I’m getting my information. Well, the records are my own, though.
The regular soldier-san turned his gaze back to me, his eyes practically begging for some kind of understanding. I wasn’t entirely sure I had the right answers myself, but I gave him a nod anyway.
”I get the gist of it,” I said. “But don’t ask for too much detail; I’m not an encyclopedia.”
”…In that case, can’t you bring back some kind of message?” the regular soldier-san asked. “Is it something from His Majesty the Former Emperor and his people? Or perhaps from the Godslayer’s⁵ journey? Or maybe even something from the Dungeon City where the worlds overlap? Or is it…”
”Whoa, hold on! That’s way more than I can handle!”
I remembered the text from the old games well enough, but as I started listing examples, the regular soldier-san cut me off, looking visibly flustered.
”Wait, isn’t that a bit much?”
”Well, uh… let’s just say there are ‘complications’ I can’t really talk about.”
”How do I put this… from my position, I really should be grilling you for info, but it feels like the one thing I absolutely shouldn’t do.”
The regular soldier-san sounded like he was backing off, his voice tinged with hesitation. I caught a glimpse of the City Mayor and Calmys-san⁶—who both knew my situation—nodding in agreement. Yeah, I know. This is just how people treat me now.
”Fine then. Is there anything from those annoying two… I mean, from the Godslayer’s group?”
”Those annoying two.”
That’s what His Majesty the Former Emperor started calling them after they’d traded blows, right? But it would be weird for His Majesty to be obsessed with Aarem while disguised as a soldier.
Maybe he heard it from the Emperor himself? Well, whatever. I closed my eyes and sifted through my memories.
If there was anything useful, it would be the fight against the Sword Demon Lord… or maybe the moment right before he fought the Demon Lord sealed within his partner’s magic blade to draw out its true power.
Or maybe—
”…Actually, I might have something like that.”
”Oh? I wasn’t expecting much, but you’ve got something?”
”Yeah, I guess.”
I activated the magitech word processor⁷ to regenerate the memory.
The screen showed the story of the first RPG protagonist before he settled down in his kingdom—specifically, the scene right after he lost the Saint of the God of War.
They had fallen for each other during their journey and had just started living together when she was taken from him.
The Godslayer gently laid the Saint’s lifeless body on the ground, closing her eyes with his hand before standing up.
He ignored the voice of his partner, the Demon Lord, and drew his sword.
[—I understand your will now.]
His voice was quiet. His rage was so absolute it manifested as a haunting, hollow calm. Then again, the Godslayer was always a character who barely showed emotion.
[I shall acknowledge your ideology. I shall acknowledge your faith.]
He held his sword toward the sky, channeling his Mana. The magic sword, originally a dagger, shifted into a longsword, then expanded further into a massive greatsword.
Normally, a character of his class couldn’t use that type of equipment, but this was the exception.
Fans used to speculate he could only pull it off because his body was being influenced by the Goddess of the Star, whose preferred weapon was a greatsword.
(Still, when he was just a human, he couldn’t handle a ‘big one’ like that very well… Guess it’s just how it goes for a total virgin, huh?)
[I understand your fear—that because I am the Godslayer, I am the one who will destroy the foundation of your world. But—]
He looked up, his eyes a swirling vortex of rage, hatred, and sorrow.
[But… killing my beloved? That was your mistake.]
He gripped the elongated hilt with his left hand, joining his right in a crushing hold. The hilt groaned under the sheer force of his grip.
[You have killed. Now, prepare to be killed in return.]
He stood before an army of tens of thousands, but to the Godslayer in this moment, they were nothing but dust. Even though they were buffed by the God of War’s blessing, the power the Godslayer was drawing from the Star Goddess rendered their divine protection meaningless.
[This is my wrath. This is my hate.]
Mana⁸ expanded into blades of light.
(Come to think of it, Dahlia’s ‘Fol Julon’⁹ looks a lot like this… I doubt the current Godslayer could pull it off, though.)
[—O Stars, enter your cycle. Tread the celestial path and birth the tide.]
The chant began. This was the moment that proved just how terrifyingly powerful the Star Goddess really was.
[In my hand, the shining star of the earth. Beyond the blink of an instant, I guide you on your journey to death.]
Usually, the weapon’s transformation and the Mana blades would appear after the chant, but his rage had loosened his control so much that he’d triggered them in a semi-berserk state. It looked like he was reciting the chant after the fact just to force some kind of order back into the chaos.
[This starlight is your judgment. In the name of my Star Goddess, I shall wash away your sins.]
He stepped forward, swinging the greatsword in a massive arc.
[Sleep now, in the embrace of the Mother Star—]
As he swung, the blade of light swept through the God of War’s soldiers. They were erased instantly, not even leaving dust behind.
The scene cut to black immediately after the flash. Everyone watching was speechless, stunned by the power of the man rumored to be the strongest protagonist in the series.
Honestly, I started to regret picking this scene. It was a bit much.
”…That was…”
”A record of what happened when a faction tried to eliminate the Godslayer because he’d fallen for a Saint of the God of War,” I explained.
”…The story of Saint Lutia-sama? From before I was born?”
Calmys-san let the words slip out, looking dazed. I guess seeing that kind of history involving your own religious sect would do that to you.
By the way, Saint Lutia Harkenmeyer eventually reincarnated and reunited with the Godslayer.
In Beyond the Deep Darkness¹⁰, he offhandedly mentions they had three kids, so I’m sure they’re living a happy life now.
She probably kept her powers because the God of War felt guilty about what happened in her past life.
”I have the records of how they got together too, but I’m not sure I want to show them.”
”Oh? Why’s that?” the regular soldier-san asked.
”It’s basically just a highlight reel of a lovey-dovey couple. You really want to watch that?”
”I’ll pass. Forget I asked.”
The regular soldier-san’s interest evaporated the second I mentioned the romance. I mean, who wants to watch someone else’s sickeningly sweet home movies?
”More importantly, Tatara,” the Mayor said, pulling us back to reality. “The chant was impressive, but we can’t exactly use those lines for a play, can we?”
”Yeah, I realized that as soon as I pulled the record. It doesn’t really fit the vibe.”
The Mayor was right to point out my blunder. The whole thing was a bit too ‘Cosmic Overlord’ for our needs. The regular soldier-san thought for a moment before speaking up again.
”Hey, the chant is fine, but isn’t there a scene where the Godslayer actually works with other people to get things done?”
”…Oh!”
His words triggered a memory. The magitech word processor shifted to a new record. The scene was atop a jagged cliff. The Godslayer stood at the center, surrounded by his apostles—the maids—along with the Demon Lord, a Saint, and several Angels.
[Master, are the preparations complete?]
A clear female voice rang out. The regular soldier-san’s eyes widened when he saw the speaker—the Head Maid and First Apostle, who was also a former princess.
She was wearing a classic, traditional maid outfit. I remember an interview where they said the illustrator fought the CEO over this design because it looked too much like the Archangel characters.
Apparently, the illustrator won that fight with his fists.
[Yeah… sorry, but I need to borrow your strength.]
The Head Maid nodded and called the other apostles into a circle.
[Godslayer, we are ready.]
[Got it. Sync with me and send it over.]
[Consider it done.]
The Demon Lord, once feared by the gods themselves, answered him. As the Demon Lords channeled their Mana into the Godslayer, the air began to warp and purple lightning crackled under the sheer pressure of the output.
Their target was a dragon-like entity several kilometers long—a transcendent being born from the soul of the Godslayer (which the world had decreed ‘invincible’) and the child of the Hero he loved.
As the dragon felt the Mana gathering and prepared its breath to vaporize the area, several explosions blossomed across its hide.
It was artillery support from the armored divisions of the Kingdom of Nahazhuto¹¹.
It didn’t do any damage, but the shock and smoke were enough of a nuisance to throw off the dragon’s aim.
As the Godslayer prepared, a telepathy message from his partner, the Demon Lord, reached him.
[Hmph. Why don’t you give this technique a name?]
[I’m not playing around here.]
[Fool. A name is a vital element. It is the primordial curse that defines the nature and direction of existence. Whether or not you name it directly affects the precision of the strike.]
[…Is that how it works?]
The Godslayer sounded skeptical.
Personally, I think the Demon Lord was just messing with him, but since the Godslayer actually names a meteorite he drops later on, maybe there’s some truth to it.
The series fanbook says that kind of thing is actually very important.
Even I’ve felt that sense of connection to this world when I name things I’ve created.
[Indeed. They say that in the far east, there is a blade capable of severing all things.]
[The far east… a blade from the Land of the Rising Sun?]
[Ho? You’ve heard of it?]
[…Something like that.]
[Was it during one of your little ‘pillow talk’ sessions with that Samurai girl? You truly are a hopeless man.]
[Shut up, you damn fool.]
I bet the Demon Lord was wearing a wicked smirk right then. The magitech word processor didn’t show his face, though.
[Fine. Taking a name from that blade isn’t a bad idea.]
[Good. Do you remember it?]
[I’ve got it.]
After an exchange that sounded more like casual banter than a pre-battle ritual, the Godslayer moved.
His target was miles away—a distance that should have been impossible to bridge.
But before this single Katana, distance meant nothing.
With a movement so refined it was practically art, he swung.
The screen itself seemed to split as the world was cleaved in two, a single line tracing across the transcendent being in the distance.
[—Tonight, a single Katana for this moment alone. I name it… Sky Rift¹².]
A split second later, the entity let out a deafening scream as blood erupted from its body.
The record ended there. Yeah, that probably wasn’t much help for the play either.
”Was that… the record of the Demon Lord Dragon from about 150 years ago?”
The regular soldier-san identified it immediately after the video cut off. I didn’t know the exact date since the official timeline was always a bit vague, but the save file for that boss fight was labeled ‘Demon Lord Dragon,’ so he was probably spot on.
”Um, sorry… I haven’t studied enough to really know about that era,” I said.
”I guess that’s not surprising. These are military records; they aren’t exactly public knowledge,” the soldier replied.
(What kind of outrageous bombshell is he dropping on me?)
It was a military secret. Great. Just the fact that I had a record of it made my situation pretty dicey, and I’d already gone and shared it to a bunch of people. I felt a headache coming on just thinking about my own latest screw-up.
”That said,” the soldier continued, “our country doesn’t have the records from that annoying couple’s side. The military won’t say anything about it—or rather, I won’t let them.”
”Are you… sure about that?” I asked.
”Yeah. Honestly, I’m more curious about this ‘Sky Rift’¹³ katana. I wonder if the high nobles of Hinode would know anything about it?”
He made protecting me from the military sound like a walk in the park, but I really wondered what his actual position was. He seemed focused on the ‘Sky Rift’ that the God-slayer and his partner had talked about.
If I told him I could actually make something like that, I’d be in real trouble. I hadn’t even reported that to the Mayor yet.
(Tatara-san, the screening is fine and all, but it’s almost lunch time.)
”Eh, is it that late already?” I said.
The Chef spoke from behind me, and when I glanced at the clock, the hands were indeed pointing toward noon.
”What was that all of a sudden?” the soldier asked.
”Oh, nothing. The Chef just told me it’s time for lunch,” I said.
”…Those things don’t talk, do they?”
”Somehow, I can hear them. They even teach me all sorts of things,” I replied.
”Huh…”
The soldier turned a skeptical gaze toward the Chef, but she ducked behind me to avoid his eyes. Come to think of it, she’d always been shy around strangers. Still, the way she went out of her way to crouch down just to hide behind me while I was sitting felt a bit… thirsty.
”Oh, we have plenty of food. Why don’t you join us?” I asked.
”Well… I suppose I’ll accept the invitation,” the soldier said, shaking his head as if giving up on the logic of the situation.
We set up a buffet-style spread of the bento boxes the Chef had made, inviting everyone who had been training to join in.
Even though the ingredients were the same ones we always had at home, the taste was on an entirely different level.
The precision of the knife work, the split-second timing of the heat, the balance of the seasoning, the harmony of the ingredients…
every tiny detail combined to create a flavor that was absolutely otherworldly.
I took a bite of my fish sandwich.
The bread had the same texture as always, but the way the surface had been toasted added a whole new dimension of aroma and crunch.
It was perfectly crisp and glazed on the outside, while remaining incredibly light and fluffy within.
The grilled fish inside was perfectly salted, its juices locked in by the sear.
As the meat flaked away, the rich fats melted across my palate.
Then came the mellow tang of the white wine vinegar and a light acidity that cut through the richness, followed by a hint of spice that elevated the savory, oceanic depth of the fish.
Even the lettuce underneath released a burst of sweet moisture with every crisp snap.
Everything harmonized into a single, cohesive experience of pure bliss.
Trying to analyze it felt almost disrespectful. Only one word could truly sum it up.
”Delicious…”
I swallowed slowly, letting the word slip out with a heart full of genuine emotion.
I’d known ever since that first cup of tea she’d brewed for me, but facing this level of culinary genius, I didn’t even feel a sense of rivalry—just total, overwhelming defeat.
In front of me, the Chef puffed out her chest—which was, frankly, far too large for her small frame—and wore a look of pure, smug triumph.
(Well? Have you fallen for me all over again?)
”It’s not about ‘falling for you,’ I’m just genuinely moved. Honestly, I’m worried I might become addicted to your cooking,” I said.
(Oh, stop it, Tatara-san!)
I couldn’t even manage a wry smile at her cheerful tone; I was too busy shoveling more food into my mouth.
The bacon-wrapped cherry tomatoes were a revelation—the heat had intensified the tomatoes’ sweetness, which was perfectly balanced by the salty bacon.
The acidity prevented the fat from feeling heavy.
Without either ingredient, the dish wouldn’t have been half as good.
”Tatara,” the Mayor said, pausing between bites. “Ever since I started eating this, I feel… amazing. My body feels better than it has in years. Did you do something to this?”
”Not really. It was just made by the world’s best chef. Good food tends to fix whatever ails you,” I replied.
”That’s a ridiculous explanation… but now I’m terrified. Every other meal I eat from now on is going to taste like cardboard.”
Despite her complaints, the Mayor looked incredibly happy as she sampled the potato salad, elegantly covering her mouth as she chewed. Her upbringing really did show at times like this.
”Tatara-hon, is it really okay for us to eat too?” the Merchant Guild Leader asked.
”Of course. That’s why I asked her to make enough for everyone,” I said.
”R-really? Is it okay for me too?”
”Animal protein… it’s been so long…”
”Go ahead, don’t hold back,” I encouraged the two members of the Hacansus Troupe. One was literally drooling. Seriously, what kind of diet were they on that ‘animal protein’ was a luxury?
Leaving the troupe members to inhale their food, I grabbed my fish sandwich and walked over to Narikin-san, who was currently tinkering with his Aarem¹⁴.
”How’s it going? Getting the hang of the controls?” I asked.
”Hmm? Oh, hey, Shopkeeper. Getting there, bit by bit,” Narikin-san replied.
He launched the Aarem from a makeshift platform, practicing mid-air stabilization maneuvers over and over. I felt a twinge of guilt; I’d asked for some pretty reckless maneuvers, and it was clearly putting him through the ringer.
”Listen, if the handling is too difficult—”
”Now, what kind of talk is that? If a man is trusted with a job, he sees it through to the end. Besides, the higher the wall, the better it feels to climb it, right?”
He didn’t sound discouraged at all. If anything, his eyes told me to shut up and let him handle it. Man, this guy is cool.
”In that case, I’ll be looking forward to seeing you dance through the sky at the main event,” I said.
”Count on it. By the way…”
”Yeah?”
”Today’s practice before we started, that footage you were showing… is there more? I want to save up some money so I can watch the rest,” Narikin-san said.
”…I have no plans for a public release.”
Talk about a mood swing. He looked so genuinely crushed that it actually hurt my heart. And you, Head of Judiciary—don’t eavesdrop and then get depressed right along with him! They really are father and son.
”Master, a moment?” Dahlia asked.
”Sure, Dahlia. Are you done eating already?”
”I am at seventy percent capacity, which is sufficient. Any more and my cognitive functions might suffer,” she replied.
Dahlia usually had a healthy appetite, so I was surprised she was stopping so soon.
”I am currently irritated,” she said with her usual expressionless face. “That small, busty person called ‘Chef’ is making Master smile with her food. I would like permission to use my Aarem to teach her a lesson.”
”Request denied, you idiot,” I said.
I shot her down in a heartbeat.
”Why? I am being quite rational. I haven’t even tried to rip her breasts off yet.”
”If you think that qualifies as ‘rational,’ we need to talk about your sanity,” I replied.
Seriously, was she actually considering tearing Ethelena’s chest off?
”Master, while I have been jealous of your wife’s bust, the number of times I have contemplated removing them has not yet reached double digits,” Dahlia said.
”So you have thought about it!”
”Ah. A slip of the tongue.”
She was dangerous. I couldn’t let my guard down for a second.
(I heard you mention Aarems just now.)
”Don’t just stand behind me and project your thoughts! You scared the life out of me!” I shouted.
I turned around to find the Chef looking at me with eyes that were practically sparkling. This was going to be a problem.
”Master,” Dahlia pressed, “the small, busty one is clearly motivated. Give the order.”
”Absolutely not! If you two let your Aarems loose, you’ll blow this entire facility to kingdom come!”
They were definitely planning on using their personal units. If the Mayor saw those, she’d have her guards punch my lights out.
”Wait, do we get to see Dahlia’s Aarem?” the Part-time Leader asked, approaching us with great interest. “She wouldn’t show me before because she said you forbade it. This seems like the perfect opportunity!”
”No,” I said, cutting him off instantly.
Dahlia’s unit was a dual-layered system with a transport exoskeleton—way too early to reveal. And the Chef’s? Her unit was built from such rare materials it would probably cause an economic crisis if people tried to replicate it. Besides, the concept of a “Beautiful Girl Aarem” was at least ten years ahead of its time.
”Is it really that bad, Tatara?” the soldier asked.
”Dahlia’s is… well, it’s structurally too advanced. People would call it cheating. And the Chef’s is just a total violation of common sense¹⁵. I can’t show them,” I replied.
”If it’s that dangerous, why the hell did you build it?”
”Do you really think a Crafter has the self-control to stop when they see a new possibility?”
”…Coming from the guy who makes Philosopher’s Stones¹⁶, that’s terrifyingly persuasive,” the soldier said.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that my nature as a crafter was currently causing the world to reject me and my soul was literally tearing my body apart. Not exactly something to be proud of.
”Chief Crafter,” the Head of Judiciary chimed in, “why did you give those two such incredible machines?”
”Favoritism for Dahlia, and the Chef’s was a special commission,” I replied.
”I see…”
The Head of Judiciary leaned in, and I felt my stomach start to knot up again.
”Chief Crafter.”
”Yes?”
”If I were to throw a total toddler-style meltdown right here—if I just started sobbing and kicking—would you give me permission?”
”PLEASE DON’T!” I shouted.
He started doing his “tantrum dance” again, and Narikin-san and I had to jump in to restrain him. To everyone else, it probably looked like a joke, but Narikin and I knew he was dead serious. His eyes were cold.
Then, the Part-time Leader (Baitou-chou) joined in.
”Tatara-dono.”
”What now? I’m busy stopping the Head of Judiciary!”
”I was thinking of joining him in this tantrum. What do you think?”
”You’re going to make your Mother-in-law cry! Seriously, stop it!”
My voice actually cracked. I glanced at the Mother-in-law, but she just had a complicated look on her face. Wait… is she not stopping them because she wants to see the Aarems too? I looked around for help, but everyone immediately looked away. The Mayor was clutching her stomach again—probably because the stress I was causing was ruining her lunch.
Was this my fault too? Probably.”
I managed to restrain the Head of Judiciary and the Part-time Leader, but the relentless pressure from Dahlia and “Chef” wouldn’t let up. Finally, my stomach reached its absolute limit.
”Fine, I get it! I hear you!” I shouted. “Five minutes—that’s the time limit. And both of you, keep it reigned in. Don’t go wrecking the Aarem¹⁷. Those are my two conditions. Got it?!”
”Yes!” they replied in unison.
Their response was far too energetic for my liking. It was a textbook-perfect answer, but the burning pain in my gut didn’t subside for a second.
So began the first-ever Aarem battle in recorded history. Even though it was an unofficial match, it was a full-scale battle nonetheless. I decided to keep a meticulous video record of the fight, intending to use any bugs or technical issues that surfaced as a test case for establishing official tournament rules.
Since it had come to this, the Mayor—my predecessor and the city’s finest Crafter¹⁸—quickly relayed the specific data points she wanted. I got to work immediately, fabricating the necessary equipment. The Mayor helped where she could, but my speed and precision seemed to be outpacing hers.
(I suppose only someone like the Mayor could watch my work and instantly bark out the next set of instructions. It’s a dynamic I could never pull off; I’ve always found it faster to just do things myself rather than trying to explain them to someone else. I never think to rely on others… I guess that’s a personality trait I dragged along from my previous life. I really ought to fix that.)
Once I had the cameras patched into the recording gear and everything was ready to capture the coming carnage, Dahlia made her move.
”Now then, Master, please perform the entrance announcement,” Dahlia said.
”Wait… what?” I asked.
What did this doll-girl just say to me?
”As I said, please handle the introductions, just like you did before, Master,” Dahlia repeated.
”No, I heard the words fine. I’m just questioning my reality,” I replied.
I instinctively pressed a hand to my forehead, trying to stem a mounting headache. It didn’t help.
”After all,” Dahlia continued, “nothing could ever truly surpass the announcement we heard that day…”
”I’m pretty sure that was the only time I ever did an announcement, wasn’t it?” I countered.
I mean, seriously, why not ask the Captain of the Hacansas Theater Troupe over there? It would be good practice for him.
But ignoring my internal protest, everyone—from Dahlia to “Chef”—stared at me with sparkling, expectant eyes.
Even the Part-time Leader and the rest of the crew who had heard me the first time were looking on with sheer anticipation.
Being the target of those gazes, I found myself sighing in resignation—though there was a small, traitorous spark of pride at being needed. I guess I’m just as bad as the rest of them.
I sent the two competitors to their respective staging areas and stationed observers around the arena to ensure the building-wide PA system wasn’t bleeding into the private player-comms.
I had expected only a few people, but it turned out a massive number of Merchant Guild staff were on-site for deliveries to the stalls and cafeteria, so I drafted them into helping.
I leaned into the microphone to test the feed.
”Attention everyone, the match will begin shortly,” I announced.
That was the building-wide broadcast. Reports trickled in from various locations confirming they could hear me. The volume seemed a bit uneven, so I made a mental note to adjust the levels later.
”Both players, please proceed to the field,” I said.
Next, I toggled the broadcast strictly to the player waiting rooms.
I got word that the feeds were still crossing in a few spots, so I cut the audio and dove into the Spell Formula¹⁹.
I was worried for a second that I’d have to manually tinker with the physical connections, but the Spell Formula adjustments did the trick.
(Mother-in-law is a total expert with Spell Formulas; I probably should have just asked her for help in the first place.)
Dahlia and “Chef” arrived at the entrance gates. The red signals were glowing, and the two of them stood waiting in the shadows.
Alright. Time to steel myself.
”Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to tonight’s Aarem Festival! We are honored to have you here at the Tatara Aarem Arena²⁰! I will be your master of ceremonies for this evening—Tatara Julon!”
This announcement was localized strictly to the arena floor.
Reports came back that it wasn’t audible elsewhere, and I gave a small, private fist-pump.
I reached back into my memories, trying to channel the energy of the previous time.
Honestly, I didn’t remember the exact wording, so I just stuck to whatever sounded appropriately dramatic.
Ideally, I should turn this into a standardized script, but since this was just a test, I didn’t let the details trip me up.
”And now, let us introduce the stars who will grace our festival tonight!”
On my cue, the spotlights converged on the gate where Dahlia stood. I flipped the signal to blue, urging her forward.
”First, entering from the East Gate! The representative of our very own ‘Whirlwind’²¹! The hero who stood at the forefront to repel the illegal incursion of the Angel Race²²…!!”
Dahlia entered with a slow, measured pace. She paused for a beat, perfectly timed with my narration, to show herself to the crowd.
”The paragon of the beautiful maidens who have mastered the art of commanding the world’s most complex Magic Devices²³…!!”
Her stride was graceful and full of poise, her back straight as an arrow.
She looked every bit the elegant lady.
Under the glare of the spotlights, her skin and hair caught the light with a cold, metallic luster.
Her features were as flawlessly symmetrical as a doll’s—she looked like a human-sized bisque masterpiece.
(Looking at her again, she really is a stunning girl. I could never say that to her face, though. She’d either get an ego the size of a planet or just completely lock up.)
”The Automaton Maiden, ‘Dahlia Julon’! And the name of the Aarem dancing in her hands… ‘Valkyria’!!”
Dahlia didn’t even flinch at the sound of her name. She maintained the cold, mechanical precision of a doll built for war.
Knowing her as I do, I could tell she was playing a part. She’s clearly planning on sticking to that persona for the official league.
”And her opponent! The traveler from beyond our borders!!”
The spotlights swung to the opposite entrance, signaling for “Chef” to make her move.
I was worried her shyness might get the better of her, but she surprised me by entering with a quiet, steady confidence.
Once she stepped into the light, she pinched the hem of her skirt and performed a perfect, graceful curtsy.
I figured “Archangel” would be thrilled by the sight, and sure enough, when I scanned the crowd, there “Archangel” was, weeping tears of pure emotion. I looked away and decided to pretend I hadn’t seen it.
”A traveler who harbors immense power yet seeks to understand the heart of humanity! Regrettably, her true name remains a mystery, but her presence alone speaks of her absolute authority as a warrior!!”
Maintaining her quiet pace, “Chef” reached the edge of the field and performed another curtsy. The first had been for the audience; this one was for Dahlia. A warrior’s etiquette.
”Her ring name is ‘Chef’! And the name of the Aarem she commands is… ‘Genesic’!!”
For the record, “Chef” hadn’t actually named her machine, so I just picked something that fit the look on the fly. I almost went with “ChefGenesic GaGaGa,” but I decided that was a bit too much and dialed it back.
”Both sides… ready your Aarem!”
On my command, Dahlia and “Chef” pulled their machines from their Inventories²⁴.
A murmur rippled through the crowd at the sight of “Chef’s” “Genesic,” crafted entirely from Magic Metal, but that was nothing compared to the roar that went up when Dahlia revealed her “Pegasus”—a machine a full size larger than any standard Aarem.
”Now then… Countdown! Three!”
The two competitors placed their Aarem on the field, locking eyes with one another.
Suddenly, the gallery began to swell as more people crowded in, joining the count in a massive, unified chant.
The internal restraints on the two machines snapped open.
When the “Pegasus” armor shed away to reveal the “Valkyria” hidden within, the audience absolutely lost it.
The eyes of the Aarem flickered to life as they took their stances.
”Genesic” dropped into a low, stable center of gravity.
Opposite her, “Valkyria” crouched into a specialized, high-tension start, looking like a speed skater ready to explode.
(I swear, I have no idea where Dahlia learned that—it looked exactly like the final stand of the Rebel Emperor’s knight.)
A heavy silence fell over the arena. It was so quiet you could hear the crowd hold its collective breath.
I gave the signal.
”FIGHT!”
And just like that, the first Aarem battle in history was underway.
===
Author:
By the way, my ability to write mecha combat is about on par with some cringey Build Fighters fanfic, so don’t get your hopes up. Honestly, we could probably just skip this part, right?
(Rejected Concept: If I were to tell it with total seriousness…)
”…Once upon a time, alien gods crossed the sea of stars to reach our world. Legend says a lone hunter fell in love with one of those goddesses. But their romance was erased by the schemes of a shadowy entity, as if it had never happened at all. Now, summoned into this world, the hunter finally meets the goddess again—but she has no idea who he is.”
As I start the story, a regular soldier leans in, clearly hooked. He isn’t the only one; the Chef, the Mayor, and even Calmys-san join the circle, despite not being part of the training session. Even Suono-san has wandered over. (Well, I guess that’s just the theater kid in her coming out.)
”The goddess had already learned about her ‘other self’ from a different world, yet she didn’t fall for the hunter. He understood his summoning served a higher purpose anyway. So, they made a pact: they’d stay out of each other’s way.”
”You mean they just… ignored each other?” Calmys-san asked.
”Something like that. There was a reason for it, but I’ll save that for later.” I brushed off Suono-san’s curiosity and kept going, nodding to the soldier who was practically begging me to continue with his eyes.
”That’s when they met the travelers—people on a quest to destroy that world, which had taken a much darker path than the one the hunter knew. They didn’t have nearly enough firepower on their own, so they started recruiting heavy hitters. The hunter was just the beginning.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the rest of the crew practicing, but they’re clearly eavesdropping. My Mother-in-law’s glare is especially terrifying.
”The crew they assembled was a real gallery of rogues: a world-weary assassin, a legendary captain, a pirate who ran a tight ship, a self-loathing prince who hated his own legend, a ninja carrying a serpent’s curse, and an immortal hero. They even had a pint-sized avenger who was the only person to ever find that hero’s weak spot.”
(I still don’t know how to describe that pirate… the guy’s personality is just too much to handle.)
”They spent the journey hunting down divine relics and becoming a real family. But eventually, they hit a wall they couldn’t climb.”
”What kind of wall?” Calmys-san asked.
Everyone was leaning in now. I pointed toward the sky. “High in orbit… a beam of light capable of glassing the planet, fired from the stars by the Moon Goddess. In the hunter’s original world, she was his soulmate.”
The group gasped. Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed right behind me, like something massive had just hit the floor. I whirled around, but the space was empty. (Was I just imagining things?) I shook it off and turned back to my audience.
”The hunter was the only one who could shoot her down. The Moon Goddess wanted to test his aim, so she offered a temporary truce. He used the immortal hero’s armor to forge a god-killing arrow and the team pushed toward the island closest to the moon.”
”This is it,” I said, dropping my voice. “The climax.”
”One by one, his friends threw themselves into the meat grinder to buy him time. The immortal hero held off an entire legion led by his own master; the cursed ninja blew himself up to take out a weapons factory; the assassin gave everything to take down the enemy general; and the pirate went down with his ship in a massive naval battle. The hunter only had three shots. But in the final duel, the Moon Goddess swatted them all aside.”
”Wait, all of them…?” the soldier asked, looking devastated.
”Every single one. Then, she fired back. Just as the beam was about to vaporize them, the traveler’s emergency summoning spell kicked in. It pulled the one person who could help—the arch-enemy the immortal hero had killed years ago.”
”The bad guy saved them?”
”Yeah. Turns out, he was the avenger’s big brother… and the hero the prince had spent his whole life idolizing.”
I’m skipping the fine details for now—Suono-san looks like she’s about to burst with questions, but I need a break. I can only tell the truth about where these ‘stories’ come from to people who know I’m a reincarnator, after all.
”The brother sacrificed his arm to hurl a spear with everything he had, blocking the goddess’s attack. But the hunter was out of ammo. They were dead in the water.”
The soldiers didn’t look relieved; they know how the world works. They were already calculating the retreat. But this is a story, and every story needs a miracle.
”Seeing his brother’s ghost, the young avenger didn’t hesitate. He prayed to the Sun God and literally turned his own body into the final arrow. But he needed ten seconds to charge—ten seconds where the Moon Goddess would have fried them all. That’s when the ‘cowardly’ prince picked up the fallen hero’s spear.”
Everyone perked up. They’d almost forgotten about the prince.
”Up until then, the prince had only used a wooden practice sword, pretending to be a hero. He’d spent years turning his obsession into a technique, but in that moment, he finally inherited the real thing. The spear transformed into a sword in his hands, and he let loose.”
(I always thought it was a low blow that you couldn’t actually trigger that move in the game—it was cutscene-only. Plus, the summoning logic is pretty dark; those heroes aren’t even the real people he knew.)
”He swung that blade with everything he had, proud to finally protect the friends he’d made. And with that, the prince fell too.”
”I get it,” the soldier muttered, looking a bit misty-eyed. “Protecting your friends… there’s no better way to go yo.” He looked almost jealous, like a man who’d seen too many of his own friends die without a purpose. I watched him for a second before finishing the tale of how they finally shot down the Moon Goddess.
—
Summary:
Tatara discusses story archetypes with a regular soldier to fix a play script, leading to an emotional conversation about the Former Emperor’s sacrifices. The dialogue shifts from lighthearted meta-commentary on anime tropes to a heavy realization regarding Tatara’s historical knowledge. The atmosphere turns tense as the soldier questions Tatara’s possession of ‘records’ that detail the world’s major turning points.
Tatara uses a magitech word processor to share historical records of the legendary Godslayer with the city officials and a soldier. These memories reveal a tragic turning point where the Godslayer’s lover, a Saint, is killed, triggering a display of divine-level destruction against an army. The group reflects on the weight of these events while searching for a more collaborative scene suitable for a play.
The group transitions to a lunch session where the ‘Chef’ demonstrates divine culinary skills, healing the physical ailments of those present. Tensions rise as Dahlia expresses violent jealousy toward the Chef, nearly resulting in a duel involving their secretive and overpowered Aarem units. Tatara struggles to maintain order as authority figures like the Head of Judiciary threaten to throw tantrums to see the forbidden technology.
The arena is set for an unprecedented showdown between Dahlia and the mysterious visitor ‘Chef.’ Julon finds himself pushed into the role of ring announcer, channeling his past-life knowledge to build hype for the crowd. The spectators reach a fever pitch as the two unique Aarem are deployed, signaling the start of a combat trial that will define future tournament standards.
The narrator recounts an epic tragedy from his past life to a captive audience of soldiers and townspeople. The story details a desperate battle against a Moon Goddess where various quirky companions sacrifice themselves. The narrative shift highlights the emotional weight of loss, particularly impacting the listening regular soldier.
—
Trivia:
- The protagonist is referencing the Fate series (Unlimited Blade Works and FGO) as ‘stories from another world’.
- Summoning stones are highly regulated by religious sects in this world.
- The ‘Former Emperor’ chose his duty to the nation over following his wife in death, a point of contention for the soldier.
- The soldier’s identity is heavily implied to be more significant than his rank suggests.
- Tatara’s knowledge of the ‘Founding King’s declaration’ is a major red flag for the authorities.
- The Godslayer is a character from a ‘past RPG’ the protagonist played.
- The Star Goddess’s influence allows the Godslayer to use weapons he normally cannot.
- Saint Lutia eventually reincarnates and has children with the Godslayer.
- Nahazhuto had armored divisions and artillery even 150 years ago.
- Names are considered ‘primordial curses’ that affect the precision of techniques.
- The Chef is shy around strangers despite her assertive ‘doya’ face.
- Aarems have a ‘Machina Saint’ characteristic that allows for performance beyond standard limits.
- Tatara is physically suffering because his soul’s power exceeds his body’s capacity.
- The Hacansus troupe members appear to be severely malnourished or impoverished.
- Julon outpaces the former Mayor in crafting speed and precision.
- Dahlia is playing a specific ‘cold automaton’ character for the matches.
- The Aarem ‘Valkyria’ was hidden inside a larger unit called ‘Pegasus’.
- The ‘Angel Race’ incursion was a significant event mentioned in Dahlia’s intro.
- Julon’s stomach pain is a recurring physical manifestation of his stress.
- The narrator is a reincarnator who knows the story’s outcome from a ‘game’ perspective.
- The Moon Goddess was the hunter’s lover in his original world.
- The ‘humble prince’ was the only one who could wield the hero’s spear at the critical moment.
- A mysterious physical ‘thud’ occurs in the real world during the storytelling
—
Character Insight:
Tatara displays deep empathy for the Former Emperor, defending his ‘martyrdom’ as a form of devotion rather than cowardice. The regular soldier shows a moment of vulnerability before shifting back into an authoritative, intimidating figure.
Tatara shows a sense of alienation, noting that being treated as an ‘special case’ or ‘outlier’ is something they have become accustomed to. Meanwhile, Calmys’s reaction highlights the enduring cultural impact of the Saint’s martyrdom.
Dahlia reveals a darker, more possessive side of her loyalty to Tatara, admitting to thoughts of violence against rivals for his attention. Tatara exhibits typical ‘crafter’ tunnel vision, admitting he lacks the self-control to stop creating dangerous items.
Julon exhibits a ‘lone wolf’ crafting mentality inherited from his past life, struggling to delegate even as he realizes it’s a flaw. Dahlia shows a flair for the dramatic, using her ‘Automaton Maiden’ persona to command the arena’s attention.
The Prince demonstrates a ‘Hero’s Awakening’ by transforming his inferiority complex and practice into a genuine legendary feat, while the Regular Soldier reveals a deep-seated survivor’s guilt.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author uses ‘Part-time Leader’ and ‘City Mayor’ as functional labels, highlighting the protagonist’s detached, gamified view of her surroundings.
The illustrator for the in-game ‘Head Maid’ design allegedly physically fought the CEO to keep the design distinct from ‘Archangel’ characters.
The ‘Full Body Blow’ tantrum is a recurring comedic trope for the Head of Judiciary, indicating his eccentric personality despite his high-ranking role.
The author admits to being sidetracked by a specific Eushully game remaster, causing a slight delay in the narrative flow.
The author uses meta-commentary regarding ‘Build Fighters’ and ‘game mechanics’ to bridge the gap between light novel tropes and the emotional weight of the scene.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Part-time Leader – Also referred to as Baito-chou. An actor/performer struggling to memorize lines but possesses an incredible memory for things he enjoys.
• Tatara – Tarashi, a reincarnated Earth salaryman and the legendary Divine Smith Tatara Julon, is the continent’s greatest crafter and prolific inventor who helped found the Imperial Kingdom, holding its most patents and creating the Aarem and a Philosopher’s Stone variant. Dressed in grease-stained workshop garb, he wields the Yakukiri Conceptual Weapon and Severance blade, crafts national treasures like Mithril wagons, and nonchalantly over-engineers devices while analyzing time loops. Armed with a memory-projecting word-processor, he draws analogies from his past-life knowledge of stories and games to navigate this world, values individual character over racial prejudice, protects his companions and the Poster Girls, lives with multiple women, and remains unassuming despite his godlike genius.
• City Mayor – The female City Mayor, perpetually stressed by Tatara’s boundary-breaking inventions and prone to stomach ulcers, oversees the City Festival and maintains a protective, direct relationship with him. She is the city’s political leader, fiercely autonomous, and defends her citizens’ privacy against Imperial military pressure. She also shields Julon, and was shocked by the revelation of historical footage—her authority and concern for her people define her role.
• Mayor – Serious‑looking female mayor governs the city, fiercely autonomous and protective of its citizens’ privacy against Imperial pressure. She oversees the Festival, shields ally Julon, and is constantly stressed by Tatara’s boundary‑breaking inventions, suffering stomach ulcers. Her authority and concern define her role.
• Calmys – Lithe, sharp‑tongued female knight and high‑ranking Mayor’s guard official, secretly a whip‑wielding War God’s knight. She acts as a protective big‑sister to Tatara and Ethelena, granting them church protection, shares a pragmatic diplomatic outlook, is closely tied to Julon, and was shocked by his true origins, moving to her sword hilt at the slightest threat.
• Chef – Third ‘Poster Girl’ sister, master cook and introvert, older sibling of the Shift Lead. Petite frame with a strikingly large chest; she wears a crisp white chef’s coat, neat bun, glasses, and otaku‑gear accessories. Telepathic, wields a Magic‑Metal Aarem, serves tea to the group, and always flashes friendly smiles.
• Dahlia – Chrome‑finished automaton maid, low domestic skill but fiercely loyal, serves Tatara as an energetic partner. She obsessively studies magic tools, analyzes mecha footage for Triteia combat, seeks private screenings, manipulates those around her, prefers direct combat over frivolous Aarem toys. Companion of Julon, watches anxiously, receives a reassuring pat before a secret meeting.
• Julon – Lean, cloaked figure—an alchemist‑reincarnate and narrator—bears the ‘Crafting’ skill that bypasses technical limits and precision that outshines the City Mayor. Suffering chronic stomach pain from stress, he works under the Mayor’s patronage, his alchemical robes and sharp eyes marking his outward guise.
• Archangel – An ethereal being with wings who feels a deep sense of guilt and indebtedness toward Tatara. She views herself as a fleeting existence. The eldest of the four ‘Poster Girls’ sisters. A cheerful, perfect maid who recently had her wings restored. The eldest of the sisters, often viewed as a mother figure. She possesses the ‘End’ root attribute and is fighting a perpetual battle in the Cavern of Eternal Night.
• Ethelena – Succubus and Tatara’s partner, she sports long hair and a voluptuous form, wielding Sex Sorcery. Supportive, affectionate, and fiercely protective of their future. She shares his bed, sleeps beside him, and trains her ‘Steal’ skill near level 50. Capable of Mana clones, she shifts between mature and youthful forms, obsessively devoted to Tatara, binding him with extreme measures, and is admired by a noble‑leaning Whirlwind companion for her household’s cuisine.
• Mother-in-law – A maternal figure of authority who enjoys teasing Tatara and ‘Baito-chou’. She is involved in diplomatic and festival preparations. A stern authority figure in the household. She uses physical discipline (fist-drops) and commands high respect. She is interested in using Tatara’s memories for script-writing. Wife of the Part-time Leader. A dancer with genius-level memorization skills and a deep understanding of artistic intent.
• Suono – A striking woman singer in the Hachansas theater troupe, known for her practical, blunt critiques of scripts; during rehearsals she insists on polished, high‑class diction and the full, lengthy script, shaping the group’s disciplined dynamics.
• Regular Soldier – A soldier who has lost brothers-in-arms; he listens to the story with deep emotional resonance.
• Soldier – A man appearing as a regular soldier but heavily implied to be the Former Emperor. He has a sharp gaze, multiple consorts, and deep knowledge of theater and national history. A regular soldier with an aura of great dignity and over 300 years of experience. He is a ‘Big Kid’ at heart, obsessed with mechanical romance and Aarem.
• Prince – A self-loathing underdog who initially used a wooden sword before inheriting a legendary spear.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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