Chapter 310: Who Is the Hostage?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 310: Who Is the Hostage?
Until now, the Regressor had been in the middle of negotiations. Annoyed as she was, she hadn't tried to use force, attempting to continue the conversation.
But now, things were different.
She looked ferocious, as if she might draw her sword at any moment. It wasn't the sharp killing intent aimed at an enemy, but the violent tantrum of a child determined to get what it wants. The only difference was that her power was on the level of the Divine.
“I told you, didn’t I? I don’t like hostages. No matter who they are.”
“Oh my?”
Hilde offered a clumsy smile, but the Regressor’s expression only darkened.
Until now, she had only used her power in a limited capacity to achieve her goals. But… if the Regressor decided to truly run rampant, it wouldn't matter how long it took; a nation would fall. Especially the Military State, which she had consistently destroyed in past timelines—that would be even easier.
The Regressor placed a hand on the hilt of Chun-aeng and growled.
“Do you think I stormed all the way here just to be pushed around with hostages? Give them back. Now.”
A terrifying aura emanated from the Regressor, aimed squarely at Hilde. Of course, since Hilde was on my lap, I ended up taking the full force of it as well.
Hilde looked troubled and asked me.
“Hmm. This is a problem~. I don’t think protesting with the hostage’s safety on the line will work here. Father, can’t you do something?”
Hey, what am I supposed to do if you ask me? My own hands are trembling.
“Hughes.”
Damn it, here it comes. I answered, feeling a little servile.
“Ah, yes.”
“I consider you a comrade. If you were taken hostage or anything of the sort, I’d be in a very foul mood.”
You were just thinking of selling me out as a hostage a moment ago!
…Of course, she probably didn't mean it.
The Regressor is quite devoted to those she accepts as her comrades. Just a moment ago, for instance. When Nevida tried to take me away, the Regressor charged in, knowing full well she couldn't win. She could have easily been killed, but she had no regrets about her actions.
It was the same now.
“You wouldn’t have suggested using your friend and the princess as hostages yourself. However, if those were the only terms for negotiation… Even if the princess wouldn’t be harmed, if you had accepted that….”
The emotion I sensed from the Regressor was a slight disappointment. It was a trivial thing, but that difference could drastically alter my fate from here on out.
Not just in this timeline, but into the next.
‘I admit it. Hughes is a stroke of fortune. Never in all my timelines have things gone this smoothly. It’s definitely thanks to Hughes. But… I still don’t know. Can I really trust him?’
Competent and incompetent. I am clearly on the competent side of that spectrum. But to the Regressor, that part isn't particularly important.
“Hughes. Answer me. Where are they?”
“Uh… well. They should be arriving soon….”
I had just finished speaking.
The door burst open, and Tyr appeared, a parasol perched on one shoulder and a golem on the other. Looking around, she spotted me.
“Hu!”
Tyr gave me a happy smile and strode straight toward me. Her steps were powerful, but her stride was short, so it took her a while to get close.
Currently the most favorable comrade to me after Historia, and the most reliable ally one could have. The Progenitor of vampires, Tyrkanzyaka.
It was a real shame. If only the Saintess wasn't the hidden power behind the Military State, she would have been a great asset to me. But I couldn't bring Tyr along, as that would only lead to destruction and slaughter.
I greeted Tyr warmly.
“It feels like it’s been a while. Sorry for leaving without a word. I had something to take care of….”
Tyr gestured slightly with the shoulder the golem was on.
“I heard the story from this doll. It said you went alone to negotiate. I understand your intentions, but how could you leave without so much as a word? Did you think I wouldn't worry? But… what are you doing now?”
As she approached happily, Tyr saw the standoff between the Regressor and us and tilted her head. She had realized the Regressor's expression was anything but ordinary.
Still, Tyr had the means to solve this problem. To be precise, it was on her shoulder.
I called out to the golem.
“Abbey.”
She seemed to be quite busy, as it took a moment for the golem to respond to my words.
[State Signaller Abbey here. Sir. Have the negotiations been successful?]
“Not yet. Abbey, a certain Shei-ssi was worried about the safety of her beloved princess.”
[Beloved princess…? Are you referring to Yerien Grandiomor?]
“Yes. She seems curious about her safety. Could you call for her?”
The golem tilted its head, then spoke to someone else while maintaining the connection.
[Yerien Grandiomor. Someone is looking for you. Affirmative. Shei is worried about your safety… Wait, stop. Shouting in my ear will not transmit your voice to the golem. Synchronization does not work that way. Wai—stay still! Pressing your lips against me and speaking won't transmit it either! It is not structured that way, and even if it were, I would refuse with all my might!]
I can't read minds, but I can guess what's happening. Is this really a conversation between the King of the Military State and the princess of a fallen kingdom? So full of dignity and grace, the future of the Military State is bright indeed. So bright, in fact, that any soldier who saw this would probably weep.
At the end of a conversation that seemed to lack any dignity, and certainly any danger, the golem reached a dramatic conclusion.
[Affirmative. Due to the nature of synchronization, it might be possible to transmit your voice if you are in maximum contact with my body. Perhaps… hugging me from behind… might work….]
Abbey’s reluctant voice faded, and gradually, the princess’s voice began to bleed through. It was muffled, as if she were speaking into someone’s back, but it was clear enough to recognize as the princess’s voice.
[Sir Shei? You were looking for me? U-um… I’m sorry to have worried you, but I’m also happy that you were looking for me… Ehehe….]
It was an innocent voice that dispelled all tension just by hearing it. An aura of not just safety, but comfort, radiated from her voice. It was likely quite different from the princess in the Regressor’s memories.
‘Wait. What the. A hostage, you said?’
The thoroughly bewildered Regressor glanced at me before speaking to the golem again.
“…You’re safe?”
[Yes! Are you okay, Sir Shei? I can’t see you.]
“I’m fine. You’re with a signaller? What happened?”
[Oh, me? I originally stayed behind to follow Shiati, but I had a change of heart. I want to stay here a little longer and watch over Abbey and Yuel.]
“Abbey… the signaller?”
[Yes! It’s cramped and stuffy here, but there are many people and countless ‘windows.’ I can observe the Military State from a broader, more objective perspective than anyone else. I’m sure I can find clues to make the Military State better from here. If I’m with Abbey… Ah, sorry, Abbey….]
A brief movement, as if asking for a moment. The princess’s voice faded, and Abbey’s voice began to flow out again.
[That is all. My body is singular, and having Yerien Grandiomor in such close proximity causes significant interference with my control over other golems. As there are many matters that require my immediate attention, I will conclude her message here.]
The golem spoke again, clearly and distinctly in Abbey’s voice. I waved at it.
“You’re working hard, Abbey.”
[It is nothing compared to the duties I have been assigned. Sir. Are you leaving the Military State?]
“Yes. As soon as this conversation is over, I think I’ll be heading straight for the Fallen Dominion.”
[I see….]
The golem’s limbs went limp. It seemed she had disconnected for a moment. Then, a short while later, the golem’s head snapped up, and it spoke again.
[I have taken care of the administrative processing. You will be able to receive the protocol afforded to a general officer at all administrative facilities within the Military State.]
“Yahoo! Thanks, Abbey!”
[Negative. It is nothing. This is all that I… that I can do… So at least this.]
“What do you mean, ‘all’? The protocol of a general is the highest treatment one can receive in the Military State. When else in my life would I ever get treated like that!”
[If it was helpful, then I, too… Huhu.]
The golem bowed its head, its body shaking slightly. It was a human-like laugh she rarely showed even in her human form. But the pleasant sound didn’t last long.
[…A.K. Receiving. Affirmative. I will handle it. Evacuate the area immediately. Over.]
She must be communicating with multiple locations while staying connected here. Just how busy is she? As soon as the report was over, the golem spoke quickly.
[This is all the time I am permitted, Sir. I will take my leave now.]
“You’ve got a lot on your plate. Take care, Abbey.”
[However, as long as you are in the Military State, I will be watching you. Always.]
“Uh, should I say thank you for that? Isn’t that a little scary? I don’t even believe in gods for fear one might be watching over me. The idea of a being secretly watching my every move is a bit creepy, you know?”
[Negative. I maintain that I am different from a god in the most crucial aspect. I watch you openly. Openly enough to declare that fact to you.]
Well, there is a difference, I suppose. A god doesn’t ask for my permission to watch over me. Though I’m not sure if that’s such a crucial difference.
In any case, after her bold stalking declaration, the golem bowed its head.
[…I will await the day we meet again. Farewell.]
Click. The golem’s connection cut off. Having enjoyed the conversation, I turned with Hilde to look back at the Regressor. She was struggling a bit to process the situation.
'Wait. What the hell. A hostage? Why is she with a signaller? More importantly, weren’t the signallers those inhuman dolls? Why is she so friendly with that guy?'
I said I'd get my revenge, didn't I? Now's the time. I mimicked the Regressor and said,
“I don’t like hostages. No matter who they are. Pfft. A quote that will go down in history. Shei-ssi, you were pretty cool just now.”
“Ugh!”
Hilde, who had been waiting for an opportunity, added a word.
“When you glared at me and said, ‘Give them back now,’ my heart nearly stopped. Father, can you hear my heart? This pounding… what should I do? I can’t seem to calm down.”
“It’s a good thing the princess isn’t here. If Hilde is this affected, the princess might have fainted on the spot if she’d heard it directly. To capture the heart of the uncapturable princess like this… as expected of Shei-ssi.”
“Sh-Shut up!”
“A devilish talent for making a woman’s heart pound. Though I doubt that’s the talent she was hoping for.”
“No, Hilde. I must confess, my heart was pounding a little, too.”
“No! I can’t let some man have you, Father!”
“I told you both to stop!”
Haha. It’d be a shame to end it here. Since Tyr is here, I should have her say something too.
By the way, why is Tyr just standing there with her hand over her mouth? Did something surprising happen?
'Fa…ther…? Hu… already has a child this grown up…?'
…That is surprising. Even I was taken aback by how random it was. I should clear up this misunderstanding as quickly as possible.
Taking advantage of the lull in my attack, the Regressor struck back.
“More importantly, what’s with that signaller! That’s the signaller from the Abyss! Why is she talking to you so familiarly!”
Honestly. I don't make a habit of judging others, but how can you go on about destroying the Military State when you don't even know about the signallers? I raised a finger and wagged it where the Regressor could see.
“Shei-ssi. If there were only one liar in the entire world, they would be no different from a god. No matter how absurd their words, everything they say would become the truth.”
“And that’s you?”
“No, not me. Abbey. I taught her how to lie. In other words, Abbey is the god of the Military State’s signallers. Though I’m not sure how long that will last!”
Hilde picked up where I left off.
“In any case, you should thank Father for forging such a strong connection with the command headquarters. The hostage situation was just a pretext for the public; in reality, everyone went where they needed to go.”
“Urgh…”
“For your information, the hostage the Military State is sending is me! I’m the only talent with the authority to make independent decisions, who knows all of the State’s classified information, and who can even conduct practical negotiations when necessary!”
“Fine. I get it. Is that all for the hostage talk?”
“No! Surprisingly, there is one. A real hostage!”
Hilde smiled brightly and pointed at Historia.
“Historia has to stay here!”