Rustilla's Liberation
Puck, puck, puck! Sonia kept slapping Idel without pause.
“Urgh, urgh!”
Merciless pinpoint strikes. No breathing room. Under Sonia’s dazzling handwork and footwork, Idel was literally knocked senseless.
“Uwaaaah.”
Idel, who had been flopping like a live fish, went limp. His face was as pale as flounder sliced for sashimi. Foam bubbled from his mouth as though he had lost consciousness.
Sonia sighed and spoke.
“Injuries of this degree will require at most three days of rest. This Sonia is satisfied with her force control.”
Sonia slung Idel over her shoulder. Zermel, who had been blankly watching the situation, asked,
“You are…?”
“Ah, I have not introduced myself.”
Thud! Sonia dropped Idel and lifted the hem of her skirt with both hands in a slight curtsy.
“I am Sonia, the exclusive maid of Young Master Idel von Rheinland.”
“Sonia… A lovely name. I am called Zermel.”
Sonia picked Idel up again and said,
“I apologize for the disturbance our young master caused. You must be confused. I will handle the situation. Please enter the room at the far end and wait for a moment.”
Zermel shook his head flatly.
“We have a duty to protect Lady Rustilla’s person.”
“I will take that duty upon myself for a while.”
Sonia shook the unconscious Idel as if showing him off. Zermel could only sigh inwardly.
‘When the boy before us was rampaging, we could do nothing.’
The dilemma created when “protect humans” and “do not strike humans” collided. Even a person would hesitate before such a dilemma. How could a robot built from code be any different?
After Zermel finished processing the feedback through his artificial neural network, he bowed his head deeply.
“…If it is not too presumptuous, may we exchange information?”
“Anytime.”
Sonia also gave a polite nod. Mutual agreement was reached. Zermel read the data from Sonia’s central chip.
‘This individual named Sonia… Upon checking the serial number, she is equipped with a fifth-generation model.’
Zermel was a fourth-generation android. Sonia, on the other hand, was fifth-generation.
‘Compared to us fourth-generation units, a fifth-generation unit can practically be considered human. At the very least, she will protect the young lady better than we can. The fact that she used violence on a human must be because she possesses a disciplinary access key.’
A massive amount of data was exchanged in a short time. Having read Sonia’s intentions, Zermel nodded.
Unlike with humans, robots could persuade one another without unnecessary words.
“Then, please take good care of Lady Rustilla.”
“I will ensure nothing happens to her person.”
The androids released their encirclement of Rustilla as if nothing had happened and entered the designated room.
‘…What?’
Rustilla stared blankly at the scene. They were gone. All the androids that had been watching her so persistently had disappeared.
“……Ah.”
Freedom. Rustilla had, for the first time in a long while, regained her freedom.
“Wow, that crazy bastard Idel! He was quiet for a while, so I figured he’d cause trouble again!”
Seti grumbled, clutching the back of her neck. She sighed and turned around.
“Sorry, sis. That lunatic completely broke your concentration, didn’t he? I’ll apologize. Really…”
Rustilla shook her head. That wasn’t what mattered right now. Thump, thump—her heart pounded rapidly.
“Seti.”
“What?”
“Can I… do this?”
Back in the room, Rustilla took out a wooden sword. She had secretly brought it without her parents knowing. Seti tilted her head.
“You want to practice swordsmanship? Here?”
Seti’s room was large, but only about thirty pyeong at most. With furniture like the bed, the actual space was even smaller. It was far too cramped to use as a training ground.
“It’s fine. This much width is enough for training.”
“Training, huh…”
Seti’s lips curled bitterly. She knew Rustilla had a deep affection for the sword. It was a well-known story. She had also heard plenty at social gatherings that her parents had forbidden sword practice. It was blatant overprotection.
“U-uh… Yeah, go ahead. We can do the homework later.”
Rustilla’s expression was too desperate to refuse. Seti had no choice but to nod.
“Really? Thank you!”
Rustilla jumped up and down like a child. Life returned to her previously dull eyes. She took off her cardigan and gripped the sword, still in her sleeveless shirt and shorts.
‘Ah… This familiar sensation. How long has it been?’
Holding the wooden sword, she focused her mind. She took her stance. The corners of her mouth kept twitching upward.
Whoosh!
She swung it lightly once. A thrill ran down her spine. It felt this good. Far more fun than holding a pen and studying blindly. Moving her body suited her better. It was no different from before.
Rustilla had a dream she could never yield.
‘I’m going to become a soldier.’
Whoosh, whoosh. Sharp sword paths sliced through the air. Rustilla’s gaze sharpened like a blade. The eyes of one who had focused on the sword. With that gaze, she set up an imaginary enemy and struck at vital points. At the same time, she made a vow.
‘No matter what my parents say.’
Swish, crack!
‘I will insist on this path.’
After only a few swings, Rustilla entered a state of immersion. Sword and self as one. The more she reached that realm, the farther the world receded and the more she became disconnected from her surroundings. Everything appeared sparse and hazy. As a result, Rustilla could converse with her inner self.
She asked the sword.
‘…Who exactly was that boy?’
Idel von Rheinland. That name was famous. So famous that there was hardly anyone in the universe who did not know it. Wasn’t he called the problem child of the Rheinland family? Rustilla had not believed those stories. She had not held any prejudice either. She believed one should not judge someone they had never met based solely on rumors.
Of course, Idel’s behavior had not looked good at first glance. The rumors seemed accurate.
‘But.’
Whoosh!
One should not judge people only by what is visible on the surface. Depending on the situation and context, one must carefully consider why that person acted that way. At the very least, Rustilla’s blade was shouting that this was how it should be.
‘There must have been some intention.’
The essence she had discovered using the skill “Mind’s Eye.” Idel was fundamentally a good person. Then why had he displayed such scoundrel-like behavior?
It was not difficult to deduce the answer.
‘It must have been because of the Outer Deities.’
The terror she had faced when using “Inner Sight.” The fleeting glimpse of white tentacles had revealed that the entity behind Idel was an evil god from the outer world.
‘He’s already… been insane for a long time. Tormented by an Outer Deity, he probably hasn’t been in his right mind for ages.’
Rustilla let out a sigh.
‘How painful must it have been…?’
A life seized by an evil god. Others would point fingers and call him a “lunatic.” That was like pouring salt on an open wound.
‘Even if it’s just me… from now on, I should at least treat him well.’
Rustilla emerged from her thoughts. Even though she had stopped moving her hands and had unconsciously closed her eyes, the sword paths were still visible. Her talent had already reached a state of selflessness. If she continued like this, she would surely achieve greatness. However, she had no interest in the realm she had attained after so long.
“Seti.”
“Wow, this is really tasty—huh, yeah? Why?”
“Can I meet your brother sometime?”
“Pfft—!!”
Seti spat out the juice she had been drinking all over her desk.
***
How many hours had I been lying down? I opened my eyes to a throbbing sensation. As my blurry vision slowly returned, my five senses became vivid once more. My entire body ached. It hurt as if I had been thoroughly beaten.
“Oof.”
My groans came out in broken fragments.
“Have you awakened?”
A frilly apron came into view. Unable to lift my head, I rolled my eyes instead. Navy-blue bob hair and white eyes. Sonia was looking down at me with a blank expression.
“…Where is this.”
“The hospital room. Please rest assured.”
“Ah…”
I remembered what had happened. I had been beaten so badly that I had nearly forgotten.
“Are you all right?”
“Not to the point of dying.”
“Then that is sufficient. Since it was at your request, I will not offer a separate apology.”
“Ah, right… By the way, what are those androids doing now?”
“I have secured them in the guest room.”
“Good work.”
It had been something of a gamble, but it seemed things had worked out. Even if I looked at it harshly, the first stage was a success. From here on, I received more detailed information from Sonia.
“They cannot attack humans, but I can. When the same threat appears, they will likely rely on me. That is the limitation of fourth-generation units. At the very least, control over Lady Rustilla’s safety has transferred to me for today.”
I applauded inwardly. Competent as always, Sonia. Even though I had been thoroughly beaten, if the dark clouds hanging over Rustilla had lifted even a little, and if the possibility of the universe’s destruction had decreased even slightly… Yes. That was enough.
“Sonia.”
“Please speak.”
“You know that problem book I was working on? Bring it here.”
“Would it not be better to rest for at least a day? Though I was gentle, you are still injured.”
“That’s exactly why I’m doing it.”
“……?”
“Studying is my way of resting.”
“I never understand Young Master’s way of thinking. I have been serving you for over ten years, yet how can you…”
“Ah, Sonia!”
“Understood. I understand.”
When I whined, Sonia brought the problem books. She only brought two, but that was enough to pass the time.
“Oof, my shoulder hurts.”
“Have you developed frozen shoulder?”
“You don’t think it’s because some blueberry-colored maid beat me up?”
“Heh.”
Sonia, who had been twirling the hair by her ear, twisted her lips. It was somehow irritating.
“If you insist on studying, I will prepare a book stand. There is no need to read while lying down uncomfortably.”
“Yeah, thanks for the consideration.”
Ding-dong.
“…One moment. It seems someone has arrived.”
Sonia, who had been setting up the book stand, stopped and turned around. She checked the intercom. Lying on the hospital bed, I furrowed my brow.
“It appears to be a hospital visit.”
Sonia looked at me as she spoke. Someone coming to visit the notorious troublemaker Idel? The sun must be rising in the west. Of course, I could guess who it was.
“Let them in.”
“You must not cause a scene.”
“My limbs feel like they’re about to fall off. Why would I?”
“One must be careful not only with actions but also with words.”
Sonia pressed the button to open the door. I took a short, deep breath and barely managed to turn my head. The next moment, a floral scent rushed in like a tide. It was a fresh fragrance, as if standing in a low meadow. Following the scent, I shifted my gaze.
There stood a girl with a yellow ponytail. She gave a slight bow and looked back and forth between me and Sonia.
“Are you… Idel?”
Her tone was quite polite. She looked to be only a third-year middle school student at most, yet her mature demeanor stood out. Well, one could not speak casually to someone they were meeting for the first time. Thinking so, I replied in kind.
“Yes, I am Idel Rheinland.”
“……”
“What brings you here?”
Rustilla’s aquamarine eyes slowly gazed at me. Then she flinched as if startled.
“Ah, well…”
Rustilla, who had been hesitating, opened her mouth.
“Are your injuries all right?”
“Yes, they are fine. I am sorry for the trouble I caused earlier.”
I gave a slight bow. At that, Rustilla’s half-closed eyes widened.
“Why exactly did you act that way earlier?”
Rustilla asked. Just as I was about to answer—
“Our young master occasionally has seizures like that. Each time, I discipline him as you saw earlier. Once he faints and wakes up, he seems fine for a while.”
Sonia cut in.
“……Ah, well.”
It was not a lie. After all, the reason I had possessed this body was because Idel had been knocked out by a casino guard. Since I had no other excuse, I stayed silent.
“Aah…”
Rustilla sighed like an old person who had seen the world. A pitying emotion settled in her previously clear eyes. Wait a second. Something felt slightly off from what I had intended. I hurriedly added to Sonia’s words.
“It is presumptuous of me to say this upon our first meeting, but I was aware of Lady Rustilla’s family circumstances.”
Rustilla no longer tried to hide her surprise. Her pupils and hands trembled slightly.
“M-my family circumstances?”
“It is well-known. The fact that the couple from the Kersil family dotes excessively on their only daughter.”
Kersil was a fairly prestigious family. News of such noble houses tended to spread through banquets and articles, much like a celebrity’s private life being exposed.
“Seeing all those androids in front of the room, I thought, ‘Ah, this is a bit…’”
This was the crucial part. I continued.
“Suddenly, my temper flared. So I acted a little… that way. I apologize if I disturbed your studies.”
I bowed at a perfect right angle. Crack! My entire body screamed. Damn, it hurt like hell.
“Ah, I see. So that was it. That was what happened…”
Rustilla nodded faintly. Her previously gloomy complexion brightened slightly. Had it worked? I had thought it was a bit of a stretch, though.
“……”
It seemed Rustilla had used “Mind’s Eye.” Either back then when I was rampaging or now. Given that she had come to visit, the probability she had used it then was higher.
“…You are a good person.”
Rustilla gave a bitter smile.
“That book… Were you studying?”
“Yes. If I fail to get into Stellarium this year, I will be kicked out of the family.”
“Ah…”
Rustilla’s face darkened. Her shoulders drooped weakly. Seeing her look sad made me sad too. No, if you get depressed like that, the universe will end…
A moment of silence. Rustilla soon relaxed her expression and spoke, her face resolute as if she had made a decision.
“I am also planning to apply to Stellarium.”
“You are intelligent, so you will surely pass.”
I smiled and offered words of encouragement. At that, Rustilla burst into laughter.
“Ah, my way of speaking is so weird. We are the same age and not even adults, so why are we using honorifics?”
“……”
“Shall we drop the formalities?”
After thinking for a moment, I nodded.
“Only if I get accepted.”
Things were going better than expected.