Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Naphaël's Gift
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'From the very start...?'
My head spins.
She had cut her words short, but she clearly knew that my left arm was originally an alien's.
Once Sia opened up, she kept spilling everything.
"The first time I saw it, I was shocked. But since it was a life that was going to end anyway, I thought whatever. Then you survived. So I couldn't help but take an interest. I wondered what other abilities you might have."
"......"
"Our family is basically ruined, in the vulgar sense. The future I dreamed of was already shattered, and after my mother passed, I lost any will to live. But if your ability could heal me, and that was just a part of it, I thought maybe it could be something far greater."
"So......"
"Yeah. I did think about using you. But it wasn't about grabbing your weakness or anything like that. It was just greed—thinking that if I stuck with you as you became amazing, I might become amazing too."
After spilling her guts, Sia looked relieved.
In the end, it wasn't some nefarious intent.
'This is tame by comparison.'
The world is overflowing with all sorts of con artists.
Show the slightest opening, and they exploit, extort, blackmail, snatching gains that aren't theirs as if they were.
That's the world we live in.
Yet despite knowing my true nature, she just wanted to succeed together. In a way, it's almost pure.
"...How do I look in your eyes?"
"Uh, well......"
Sia hesitated a bit.
"You've spilled everything up to now, and you can't say that?"
"No. I still can't see your inner form clearly. I can only describe it abstractly. Is that okay?"
I nodded.
She said inner forms manifest based on personality and disposition.
If I didn't know, fine—but now that I do, it's only natural to want to know how I appear.
Sia chewed her lips for a moment before speaking.
"A golden light avatar coiled by a massive serpent... something like that? The form is so huge it's hard to take in at a glance."
"...What the hell is that?"
"W-Well, I don't have confidence in explaining it well. Oh, but I can describe the vibe more."
It was abstract in the truest sense.
A massive serpent aside, a golden light avatar?
What the hell makes it look like that?
"The golden light from the avatar was hot, but also gentle. Merciless to enemies, but it felt like it would warmly embrace allies?"
"Hmm......"
"Yeah. Usually, this represents disposition, and it was the deciding factor in judging you as someone I could entrust myself to. Just look at how you risked it all last time to normalize the overload device—you're a good person."
"Kinda embarrassing."
"No need. It's true."
I turned my head slightly at her blunt words.
For some reason, it felt like Sia was smiling at me.
"But is seeing something abstract like that normal?"
"...No. This is a first. For others, I could fully grasp it after meeting 2 or 3 times, no matter what. But with you, no matter how many times, I can't. Honestly, I have no confidence I'll ever be able to."
Sia looked a bit down, but I thought it was fine.
'Nothing as embarrassing as exposing myself completely to others.'
Not because I'm a coward.
Anyone would feel that way.
I don't know their insides, but they know mine?
Any normal person would recoil just hearing it.
Sure, some might not, but that's not my concern.
The important thing is her ability can't fully grasp me.
"...Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because my ability is lacking."
"I'm fine with it. More importantly, you really want to come with me?"
"Yes."
To convey her sincerity, Sia looked straight into my eyes.
I nodded and extended my hand.
"Alright. Looking forward to working with you from now on, Secretary."
"...Yes!"
Her eyes curved into half-moons as we shook hands.
And so, Sia and I pledged a joint front for success.
*
A week flew by as I kept up the main job while staying on guard.
Contrary to the tension that something might happen any moment, ordinary days dragged on.
Today, too, I handled follow-up from the air raid three days ago, helped smooth refugee evacuations, and returned to my quarters.
But an unexpected visitor was waiting.
"Bro, long time no see?"
"Napaël...?"
I sighed at the blond hunk already in my room.
Two years since last time, and his face hadn't changed a bit.
"...I told you not to come."
"You're not gonna kick me out just for ignoring that, right?"
"How could I?"
I couldn't bring myself to tell his smug face to leave.
Lately, the Monarch family was on a meteoric rise, highly active.
Especially Napaël, who led the fleet support in the Terra raid—he'd solidified his position as family head, with plenty of places lifting him up.
And amid all that, he'd come here personally for whatever reason.
"I know you're busy, so why come yourself?"
"You know it's been two whole years since we last saw each other face-to-face? That's why. Oh, and that's a gift."
Following his finger, I saw a digital-style key on the table.
I picked it up and examined it.
Didn't look like mere jewelry.
In reality, I'd guess car key.
"What's this?"
"The latest battleship fresh from our dock. That's the master key."
"...What?"
I doubted my ears.
I inspected the key again.
'A battleship's master key...?'
I froze, key in my palm.
Then Napaël's laughter reached my ears.
"Wow, didn't expect you to be this shocked. Should've recorded it."
"...What were you thinking, gifting something like this?"
"For you to ride around in."
"How could I possibly..."
Thinking it over, it wasn't impossible.
Union soldiers could use private weapons with superiors' permission.
An exception because Union logistics couldn't supply everything—personally funding to boost combat power was tactically beneficial, even encouraged in some circles.
Battleships were the same.
Scale was way bigger, but with approval, usable.
Of course, operating costs fell on the individual.
Maintenance and crew were beyond what normal superhumans could shoulder, so precedents were rare but existed.
Like Sahim in the original, borrowing royal power for a private fleet.
"You can handle it, bro. Aren't you richer than me?"
"Not yet."
"Confidence you'll be soon, huh. You qualify. Don't feel burdened."
I pondered.
Could I accept this already?
"Tonnage?"
"Ten thousand tons. A bit small?"
"No, actually a relief."
"Premium model with 20% engine boost, killer design. Even the captain's quarters are extra spacious. Won't fall short for you."
Not entirely thoughtless.
Ten thousand tons was the bare minimum for Union standards to call it a battleship.
Ultra-small destroyer, basically. As a provisional member, I had to mind superiors—anything bigger would be a burden.
Plus, even ultra-small, a battleship needs it.
Proper setup required at least 500 combat-ready crew, plus high-end bridge staff, engineers, pilots—hiring and maintaining them was no joke.
'Still, the merits are huge.'
On the flip side, benefits were clear.
One superhuman alone vs. with battleship support—influence on another level.
Once approved, options multiply.
'Tempting, but......'
Privately stacking forces like this was top-tier for building influence.
Hit a certain scale, and you could get independent op authority.
"I'll make good use of it."
"Knew you would. Was gonna force it if you refused."
Napaël smirked.
"But why're you here? Don't say just for this."
"Sharp as ever."
I eyed him, urging an answer.
He acted all buddy-buddy with "bro," but ours was a very business-like bond.
"Caught wind of some weird noise. Bunch of dumb mutts baring teeth without knowing their place."
"...You."
I caught his meaning instantly.
"How?"
"Cuz I care about you?"
"Quit joking."
"It's true."
"...Napaël."
Glared, but reading that face was near impossible.
Still, I got it inwardly.
'If even Sia knows, no shock if Napaël does.'
Lachesis held planetary lord status, but history wasn't deep.
And even now, better off than pre-ruin Lachesis.
Napaël didn't dodge, spilling soon enough.
"We've got our own ears."
"...Possible?"
"Fallen or not, Monarch's Monarch, bro."
"Hmm......"
Obvious face.
Pre-fall, Monarch was top Union house.
No way their intel net was shabby.
Didn't know if they caught secret ops like punitive squads, though.
"Anyway, you came for nothing."
"Why?"
"I'm already aware. Handling countermeasures."
"For real? Wow, shocked again today."
"So go home. Knowing their identity and goal, I won't roll over easy."
"Damn right. That's my bro."
Napaël clapped, praising me.
But voice hardened quick.
"But it's not that simple, bro."
"Why?"
"They targeted you. Monarch direct bloodline. You think I just swallow that?"
Only then did I spot the smoldering rage in his eyes.
Not just anger.
Fury like pride—untouchable pride—got trampled.
His eyes argued he wouldn't let it slide.
"So what're you saying?"
I asked, and Napaël switched back to grinning slyly.
"How about we escalate from our side?"
"...Escalate?"
"Yeah. Can't let 'em taste and run. Round up the barking dogs, boil 'em alive. Punish the owner too."
"So what's the plan."
"Listen up. Needs your help too."
Detailed explanation followed.
Outrageously bold, jaw-dropping op.
Normally, I'd refuse.
But I leaned yes—success would royally screw them.
After hearing it out, long deliberation, I finally nodded.
"...Fine."
"For real?"
"Yeah. But it's not perfect. If we do it, do it right. Let's refine."
"...Huh?"
I grinned in reply.
Napaël finally looked genuinely shocked today.
Thus, the night of conspiracy deepened.