Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: A Birthday for Esira
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“Then, how about we make the day you first met Sis #4 and Esira your birthday?”
“Is there any real need for that?”
I furrowed my brow.
“I'm comfortable with things as they are now. Not knowing too much, ignoring what's not worth the effort.”
The original Asrania would have shot down that proposal flat out.
I knew sharing information was important. But that didn't mean I was about to go around giggling and bonding.
“Our personalities don't mesh anyway. Why stress ourselves out forcing it?”
Arachnoid Type α fell silent. I got the sense it glanced at Esira for a moment.
“That's just like you—prioritizing efficiency.”
“Good, then we're done here...”
“But I think we need to update the data.”
Arachnoid Type α took a step closer.
“Because of the variable you've shown.”
“What new variable this time?”
“Your attitude toward your daughter.”
My attitude toward Esira? What about it?
“According to the past database, Lady Asrania killed people based on certain criteria.”
“The past is the past.”
“You protected the child even at great personal cost. You valued her happiness over your own.”
There hadn't been a situation dangerous enough to make me abandon myself.
Still, it seemed convinced I'd sacrifice myself willingly if push came to shove.
“It was quite a shock. I didn't realize maternal love had such overriding authority in your code.”
What the hell was this tin can blabbing about?
“...Explain it simpler.”
“I didn't know maternal love was that powerful. Powerful enough to overturn the principles you set.”
Maternal love. Not a word I'd expect from a robot.
“So? Did it touch your circuits, and now you want to be friends after all this time?”
“It's not just that one child changing you. I judge there must be another reason.”
“...Jeez.”
It was spot on, so I had nothing to say.
If Esira hadn't been my favorite, I wouldn't have come this far. I might have wandered without purpose. Things flowed to this point because I loved Esira that much.
No matter how smart Arachnoid Type α was, it wouldn't conclude I came from another world.
“...I don't get it. Can't wrap my head around it. What do the others think?”
“Who knows.”
Arachnoid Type α tilted its head.
“My algorithm judges you to be the most important key. I wanted to ask you first.”
I couldn't read what Arachnoid Type α was thinking.
Talking this much meant it wanted me on its side.
What should I do?
The original story came to mind. There was a similar line.
Asrania shows reluctance toward interactions. Because of this, Arachnoid Type α—who values exchanges within Axiom—casts a vote against it becoming leader.
In the original, Arachnoid Type α must have been aiming for leadership.
Recalling that line was just an excuse. I'd already chosen my path long ago.
“Sorry, but my answer's the same.”
“...May I ask why?”
“No grand reason.”
I placed a hand on Esira's shoulder.
“I'm just sick of it all now.”
If things followed the original, Esira would get dragged into all sorts of incidents with the Commander.
She saw him as a father figure, sure.
But now this was reality, and Esira had a mom. Me.
With my abilities, I could change it all. Let her live a normal life without any danger.
If it was a fate I could alter, I'd do it gladly.
“I just want to live normally with my kid.”
Arachnoid Type α's red sensors blinked. As if parsing my answer through thousands of processors.
“You've set your sights on the ending with the most variables.”
“Is that praise? Or mockery? Hard to tell.”
“No. It's respect.”
Arachnoid Type α placed a hand on its chest and bowed.
“That's enough. I've confirmed your will is firm.”
“Giving up quick, huh.”
“Clinging to impossible odds wastes resources. Instead...”
That "instead" was usually followed by something annoying.
I narrowed my eyes warily.
“I hope you'll talk with me from time to time going forward.”
“Talk?”
“Yes, casual exchanges.”
Arachnoid Type α added calmly in its electronic tone.
“As a longtime comrade, I'm purely curious. Just what process turned you into a mother?”
It was intellectual curiosity, but it could easily be misunderstood.
Sure enough, a shocked voice came from behind me.
“P-Pervert...”
Black Purple, huh.
I didn't even want to guess what she was imagining.
I turned my head, pretending not to hear. Getting tangled with that idiot was exhausting. Ignoring was best.
The conversation with Arachnoid Type α wrapped up, and the gathering was nearing its end.
Sage approached me. His face said he had a ton to say, piled up since earlier.
I made sure we could talk alone.
“You haven't changed. As expected of the Lady Asrania I know.”
What did that mean?
All the others were making a fuss about how I'd changed, but this guy's reaction was different.
“In your eyes, what kind of person am I?”
Sage lifted the corner of his mouth softly.
“A devoted mother.”
“...”
“One who wouldn't hesitate to bloody her hands for her child. Extremely dedicated, right?”
“I can't be some lofty saint. I just get rid of whatever pisses me off because my temper's foul.”
“Is that really it?”
Sage took another step closer. He lowered his voice.
“Blood Cell.”
Why bring that up out of nowhere?
The stone that grants immense power, the core material of this world.
“Isn't that why you killed the Axiom members?”
Sage's eyes gleamed coldly.
“To clean out the disloyal elements getting too close to the secret.”
‘...A secret even I don't know.’
I struggled to keep my expression neutral.
In the original game, I thought Asrania killed Axiom just because her personality was wrecked. Was there another motive?
“Aren't you getting tired of it by now too? Playing the overseer.”
“...”
“You want to escape to a normal life. I get it. Even you can't bear it forever.”
He kept spouting nonsense I couldn't follow.
“Did I ever say I killed Axiom for that reason?”
Not in my memory.
No, the original Asrania wouldn't have said that either.
“No, you never told me.”
“Then how are you so sure?”
“I can tell without you saying. Not just Axiom—”
Sage paused to catch his breath.
“All the countless people who've died by your hand, and exactly why they had to die.”
Since I wasn't the real Asrania, I couldn't be certain.
Was there some secret deal between the original Asrania and this guy that I didn't know about?
Blatant enemies with killing intent were better than these inscrutable types.
“Don't worry. The karma you've shouldered, the path ahead. I'll gladly help with it all.”
I'd never seen a guy who yapped this much without some ulterior motive.
“Thanks, but I'll pass on unproven favors.”
“You don't trust me.”
“No such thing as free in this world. I'll hold off till I know what you want.”
Talking more with him would just give me a headache. Especially with Esira right there. I didn't want to drag this out.
“Let's go, Esira.”
Before I finished speaking, Esira came scampering over.
“Mommy?”
“Yeah?”
“Pet me.”
Esira crinkled her eyes happily.
“I like Mommy's hand.”
I looked down at the child, then slowly reached out.
Her soft hair sifted pleasantly between my fingers.
If you're okay with this, then that's enough.
“Let's go home.”
“Okay!”
Esira pressed close, not letting go of my hand.
No matter what anyone says, my goal is simple.
To live normally with this child.
Just the two of us.
“Sis #4, when's the kid's birthday?”
Marigold asked. She gulped down her orange juice.
“Birthday?”
I'd never even wondered. To think a mom hadn't considered this. Made me reflect deeply.
I looked down at Esira fidgeting beside me.
“Esira.”
“Yes?”
“When's your birthday?”
Esira tilted her head.
“What's a birthday?”
This child didn't even know the concept.
Marigold, who'd been watching, clicked her tongue in frustration.
“I can't handle this vibe!”
“...”
“Then, how about we make the day you first met Sis #4 and Esira your birthday?”
“The day we first met?”
“Yeah. Kids like her often take the day they were taken in as their birthday. Meeting you started a new life for her—might as well be the day she was reborn.”
Her tone had shifted a bit, so she must really hate awkward atmospheres.
I racked my brain, calculating the date.
‘Hold on.’
I couldn't help but be startled midway through counting.
It's coming up soon?