Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Chapter 22 - Isolated Island
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One double bed, one sofa, and a small wardrobe.
In the cramped cabin that made maximum use of the small rectangular space.
Luther, who had been sitting on the sofa flipping through a book, suddenly looked up at the bed.
There, Integra sat sewing, meeting his gaze as if asking what was up.
[Master?]
[Do you need something?]
Integra was dressed in her usual maid outfit.
But seeing her sew was a first, giving it a strangely fresh feel.
[Master?]
"No, just... You were amazing last night."
At Luther's words, Integra's eyes widened for a moment before she broke into a bashful smile.
Last night.
The events at the casino on Saint Elena Island.
[Something like that is nothing once I bring my computational power to bear.]
[It was so easy I nearly yawned.]
As Integra lifted her chin proudly, Luther was the one smiling this time.
'For someone saying that, you sure seemed to enjoy it yesterday.'
The image of Integra jumping up and down in excitement after hitting it big at cards was still fresh in his mind.
Yesterday afternoon.
Luther and Integra had stopped by the auction house again to turn the gacha box—a bad civilization—into a good one, then headed to Inia's casino.
Truth be told, Luther hadn't had high expectations for the casino.
No matter how superior Integra's computational abilities were, she couldn't guarantee victory in something like gacha.
With plenty of spare cash now, he figured they'd just enjoy themselves.
That had been his lighthearted approach when heading to the casino, but Integra's mindset was entirely different.
[Winning money is what makes it fun.]
[If you want to have fun, you win money.]
[Losing money and calling it fun? Master, are you a masochist by any chance?]
And Integra really did win money.
She mobilized her full computational power for card games, subtly tampered with the slot machines, and applied a slight force to the roulette ball.
[The slot machine win rates were ridiculously low to begin with.]
[Boosting them ten thousand times over was righteous justice punishing the casino's evil.]
"Then what about the roulette?"
[Hehe.]
Integra stuck out her tongue cutely, and Luther couldn't help but laugh.
Yeah, every now and then, she had to say something like that trash talk to truly be our Integra.
As Luther laughed, Integra's expression turned sly as she spoke.
[And Master, you enjoyed it too yesterday.]
[Words can lie, but the body is honest, right?]
Her smiling eyes were mischievously cunning.
"Yeah, good things are good."
[Exactly. Plus, all the funds we earned yesterday will go toward saving this planet.]
[The more I think about it, the more justified yesterday's actions seem.]
[I could have won even more.]
Lost in her own logic, Integra nodded confidently with a proud face.
'How did our AI end up like this?'
Letting out a small sigh followed by a smile, Luther adjusted his sitting position and changed the subject.
"By the way, Integra."
[Yes, Master.]
"That... Do you really need to do that?"
Luther's gaze was directed at Integra's lap—specifically, what she was sewing.
Integra had gained the ability to touch Luther himself or each other for 7 seconds every 15 minutes.
But what she could touch was limited to Luther himself or items infused with nanomachines, and even if she could touch other objects, 7 seconds was too short for sewing.
Yet Integra had been sewing since earlier.
Which meant that sewing project itself was just an illusion, like her clothes.
Integra sat demurely, sewing away.
At Luther's point, she clicked her tongue and shook her head.
[It's a matter of feeling.]
[It makes me feel like I'm putting in more care this way.]
Since boarding the ship, Integra had been modifying Luther's coat into a sort of nanosuit.
Up until now, nanomachines had been stored in rings attached to Luther's limbs and deployed as needed to equip the nanosuit, but this method had limits on the number of nanomachines that could be stored.
[The law of mass conservation exists, after all.]
[Though the beings on this planet seem to ignore it all with their cheat key called magic.]
Since rings alone weren't enough, she needed another storage space.
That's when she thought of Luther's ever-present coat.
[Turning the coat itself into a nanosuit made of nanomachines opens up all sorts of uses.]
Luther would wear his nanosuit as usual.
Then layer the nano-coat on top to reinforce the nanosuit or use it as additional parts for special functions, like fusion drones.
[It's almost done now.]
[Just a little longer.]
Smiling brightly, Integra busied her hands again.
Luther watched her hands quietly before continuing.
"Then let's talk about our future plans."
[Yes, Master.]
Integra kept her hands moving busily but lifted her head to look at Luther.
Whether because it was just for show or thanks to her super-advanced AI computations, she could sew without looking.
"First off, as we discussed before, our goal is to head to the Malkuth Kingdom and participate in the ritual."
Meeting the Kraken and drifting, stopping at Saint Elena Island for the auction house and surveilling High Priest Martriel—all unplanned detours.
[Ash is still in the 'meet if we can' category?]
"For now. To stop the ritual, Ash's help would be ideal, but dropping everything to join her would be inefficient."
[Yes, our goal—yours and mine—is to prevent the tidal disaster, not to link up with Ash.]
Ash was one of the Holy Knight Order's executors and a powerful asset wielding the power of the stigmata.
But joining her wouldn't solve everything.
In the western battles, Anne Rose's help hadn't been useless, but the decisive aid had come from Lilia and Karen, who didn't even appear in the original story.
"Ash's destination is the Malkuth Kingdom too, so without extra effort, there's a good chance we'll meet there anyway."
[Understood. So now it's time for those maritime coordinates you had me secure in advance?]
"Right."
When they boarded the southbound ship, Luther had given Integra rough geographical info and ordered her to find the corresponding maritime coordinates.
[I initially thought that was where the Emperor's Sword was hidden.]
[But it's not, right?]
"Nah. Integra, show me the map?"
[Of course, Master.]
With a snap of her fingers, a sea chart unfolded between Luther and Integra.
The Malkuth Kingdom—five islands—was in the upper left, their current ship marked in the lower right.
And between them, slightly offset to the right in the center, were the coordinates in question.
A cluster of very small islands.
[Our current route passes near the coordinates but won't stop.]
[But you plan to detour there, Master?]
"Yeah, there's something we absolutely need to get there."
With that, Luther stood and moved to the bed where Integra sat.
"Integra, in the original story, early in the southern arc, Peliaru Princess's body is discovered, right?"
[Yes, which pushes tensions between the Empire's south and Malkuth Kingdom to the worst.]
"Right, but no war breaks out. Why do you think that is?"
[War isn't decided that lightly.]
[There were probably various internal and external issues in Malkuth Kingdom too.]
Sound logic.
Wars don't start easily.
They consume massive material and human resources.
But emotions can sometimes override reason.
When Peliaru Princess's brutalized body was found, the entire kingdom cried out for revenge against the Empire and surface dwellers—it wasn't an exaggeration.
Yet no war happened.
Why?
"The Malkuth king is bedridden."
The head of state is incapacitated.
Externally—and even within the palace—it's hushed up, with almost no one knowing, but the current Malkuth king's condition is dire.
He's essentially being kept alive artificially; he regains consciousness once every few days, but only for a few minutes.
[So politics are handled by his close aides?]
"Exactly. The queen, grand general, high priest... and a few high officials in the know are managing state affairs in his stead. They lie to the outside world that while he's ill, he's still quite hale."
The lie is so solid that even royals like Peliaru Princess don't grasp how serious it is.
[Indeed, so even if the original story saw through the spy's identity, it couldn't stop the tidal disaster.]
"Yeah, the spy's power was too overwhelming."
So how to turn that around?
[Cure the king's illness?]
"Right. If the king recovers, no matter which of the three the spy is, their power weakens dramatically."
And that's not the only advantage.
Saving the king's life is no small feat.
[Got it.]
[When you point out the spy, the king's trust in you rises. His recovery alone weakens the spy's power regardless.]
[Plus, as the king's benefactor, you'll get more chances to observe the suspects up close in the power center.]
"Yeah, and finally, you can attend the ritual in person."
Not watching from afar, but right at the venue.
"We did save Peliaru Princess, but the best is saving the king."
[Yes, savior of both princess and king—the royal family's true benefactor. Sounds good.]
Nodding several times, Integra glanced back at the chart.
[So Master, is there an item or medicine on that island that can cure the king's illness?]
"As far as I know, yes."
At Luther's reply, Integra tilted her head.
[Master, 'as far as you know'?]
"Yeah, the original story never actually cures the king. The item description just hints something like, 'If this medicine had been available, the Malkuth king could have been saved~'"
[Subtle, but the odds look good.]
[Worth stopping for.]
Secure the medicine on the island, then head to Malkuth to meet Peliaru Princess.
Through her, even as an outsider, Luther could present the medicine to the king.
[The gears mesh perfectly.]
[So, Air Striker to depart near the island?]
"Yeah. Return by hitching a ride on a passing liner."
It'd waste a few days, but they were ahead of the original schedule, so time was still on their side.
[Understood.]
[And perfect timing—my work's finished.]
[Nano-coat complete.]
Beaming, Integra unfurled her sewing project.
Nanomachines from a box on the bed side swiftly formed a black coat.
[Stand over there. I'll dress you.]
"Huh?"
[No refusing.]
Urged by Integra, Luther stood before the sofa with arms spread.
Integra maneuvered the nano-coat behind him via drones.
[Access code: Nano-coat.]
[Equip!]
At her call, the nano-coat draped over Luther, the process quite novel.
Unlike normal clothes, it clung to his back, nanomachines crawling over his body to reform the coat.
"Neat."
Far lighter than his old leather coat, yet incomparably tougher.
[It has bulletproof and blade-resistant effects.]
[Combines with the nanosuit too.]
[And of course, the nano-coat has its own special hidden function!]
"What kind?"
[Well, you see...]
Trailing off, Integra beckoned him closer and whispered.
"Oh."
Hearing her out, Luther admired the coat anew, while Integra giggled and boasted.
[Like it?]
"Love it."
Especially the new function.
It wasn't in the original story.
[Hehe.]
Pleased at his instant agreement, Integra hummed happily and clung to his arm coquettishly.
"Mm."
Feeling the heavy sensation on his left arm, Luther struggled to stay composed.
Blushing here would give her endless ammo to tease.
'Seductive little AI.'
But he wouldn't fall for it easily now.
Pretending nonchalance, Luther glanced at her—only to falter despite his resolve.
Because Integra's face, as she clung mischievously, was flushed bright red.
She talked big and acted seductive, but in the real moment, she got incredibly embarrassed.
'You want to see me embarrassed, huh.'
But the prankster herself was more flustered.
Chuckling unwittingly, Luther pretended not to notice, and Integra peeked at him before smiling faintly.
* * *
[Shall we head out, Master?]
"Yeah, Integra."
[Understood.]
[Access code: Air Striker!]
On the deck.
Luther mounted the swiftly assembled Air Striker and lightly started it.
"But Integra."
[Yes, Master.]
"Everyone's staring hard."
[It's fine. From experience, they'll just think you're a mage.]
"Right."
He'd informed the captain ahead of time anyway.
"Let's go then."
[Yes, Master.]
[Air Striker, launching!]
With Integra's shout, the Air Striker shot into the sky.
Having obtained Clairheim Morr, they no longer needed Chain Axe as a weapon, so Integra fully remodeled it into Air Striker parts—making it more vehicle-like, with improved ride comfort and speed.
[Later, we could make and operate it with add-on parts like this.]
"Won't it be too bulky?"
Hard to carry everywhere.
[I actually have a solution for that.]
"What is it?"
[Secret for now.]
[I'll surprise you later. Okay?]
"Sure."
Full of secrets, but cute, so forgiven.
Going invisible to evade the passenger ship's gaze, Luther flew at max speed toward the target island.
The island they reached.
A small one screaming uninhabited at first glance, half rock anyway.
[Total area about 90,000 square meters.]
[Does this island have an underground cave like Trigon’s nest?]
"Something like that."
Luther landed on the shore with a curt reply.
"In the original, it's not a deliberate stop. It's where Ash ends up drifting after failing to stop the tidal disaster."
[And stumbles on the secret spot while drifting?]
"Close. It's over th—"
But right then.
The scenery before Luther's eyes changed.
He realized.
Not the world.
A projection was unfolding before his eyes.
[Master, Clairheim Morr is activating.]
[Upon reaching specific coordinates, the Boy's Log sealed within is automatically unlocked and played.]
[Boy's Log #79]
Integra read the log from Clairheim Morr in a flustered voice.
Specific coordinates.
Boy's Log.
Unlock and playback.
Luther looked straight ahead.
The Sword Angel and a still-youthful Sword Emperor Clausewitz stood on the beach, gazing this way.