Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Epilogue: Log - Simulation Earth Defense Team
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"Pero, listen carefully... You're actually a brain in a vat."
"What's a brain in a vat?"
"Oh right, isekai folks wouldn't know..."
It was a bad new habit that the Violet Magic Tower Master Yuna had picked up. She couldn't help blurting out knowledge she'd gained from hanging out with him to others without thinking.
But what metaphor fit as perfectly as a brain in a vat?
With just four letters, she could explain all profound dilemmas. Clichés were such a concise way to convey information.
Should she start from The Matrix?
Yuna pondered for a moment, but instead of diving into debates on the dilemmas of created beings, the structure of souls, the duties of nascent intellects, or the value of artificial souls—topics that could drag on for a year without resolution—
she decided to gloss over it all with religious blind faith for now.
"I... am a god."
"You're a god?!"
"I'm a friend and business partner of the god who created you all. I have access and edit privileges too, so... yeah, you could call me a god."
"Th-then, O God... why is the world filled with suffering?"
"........."
The archmage staggered under the sharp counterattack. He probably would have answered, 'Suffering is needed to make the happy ending shine.' But that logic worked for stories, not for those living through it—it would just piss them off.
'To make you savor future happiness all the sweeter, I decided to give you suffering!'
If some so-called god said that to her face, Yuna would be ready to blast them with a full-power Yunades Beam.
So she had no choice but to hem and haw.
Fortunately, Pero had a warm heart that could accommodate a brain parasite, a delusional self-proclaimed god, or even a real deity speaking in his head.
"That's a tough question...!"
"Uh, yeah."
"Let's figure it out together!"
"...Y-yeah."
She'd more or less explained things. And to shake off accusations of being a parasite, she'd even shown herself. Pero seemed to feel a sense of kinship with her equally short stature.
She'd proven her divine power with the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, conjuring thirty years' worth of food with a wave of her hand.
So paradise was overflowing with food. The facilities were top-notch, emergency power was plentiful, ventilation systems and all were running perfectly. Even if men and women paired up and formed a soccer team, it'd be covered.
But the biggest problem was that there was only one Pero.
Humans are social creatures—being alone is lonely. Without communication and interaction with others, stress builds up. He might even develop mental issues.
That's why Yuna tried a few approaches.
"...What's this?"
"Th-the First Princess body pillow...? I couldn't input an AI, but I thought hugging it might ease the loneliness a bit..."
"........."
"S-sorry..."
As the kind-hearted Pero gazed up at the sky with eyes full of disdain for trash, Yuna hurriedly deleted the First Princess model. It wasn't meant to cause psychological harm—just pure goodwill.
You know, in his world, they had those long body pillows without even drawing girls on them!
But failure was failure. Gifts only matter if the recipient is happy.
Next, she tried drawing on a volleyball.
"This is Wilson."
"...It's a ball, right?"
"No, it's Wilson."
"O God... if you're feeling lonely, I can keep you company."
"...My friend's been busy preparing to move lately, so yeah, I'm a little lonely..."
She ended up being the one comforted.
He'd been so thrilled by the Second Prince's offer to become an academy professor that he'd flipped in the air and fallen over in joy. He was busy preparing Simulation Room No. 2 for a full day of TRPG sessions at the academy.
Yuna tried clinging to his back like a cicada, or—frustrated by his lack of attention—attacking his ears with an "erelerelere" assault like he'd done to her...
but no effect.
"B-but... you're not showing yourself to anyone else?"
"...Huh?"
"Like Leah..."
"W-well, it's like only the chosen ones can see me... oh."
Since Yuna was personally supplying mana to run the simulation, Leah was probably wandering some wasteland in power-saving mode, as the player was offline.
Likely just handling basic computations: survival rolls, success, failure.
So calling Leah wouldn't help. She lacked self-awareness. No interest in chatting with an autoresponder. As Yuna sorted this out in her mind, a thought struck her.
If feedback from the First Princess had awakened Pero, what about the Second Prince, who was at least ten times more immersed?
Realizing this late, Yuna summoned the prince, the flower, and the Resistance member, logging them in. As expected, the self-aware Centra was strolling through the city...
Centra believed in their eventual reunion.
So she gathered scraps from around the city to build a statue of Second Prince Irid (which looked nothing like him no matter how you squinted), or decorated "Congrats on the Reunion" signs. Reunions needed events, after all.
The wait wasn't painful. She could feel her heart pounding vividly. And she knew they were connected.
So, believing even a little would reach him, she started each day shouting:
"Alright, Irid! Let's make today count too!"
"...Sob sob sob!"
"Who are you?!"
The archmage watched, blowing her nose into a handkerchief and sobbing.
Unlike Pero, Centra knew she was a created being. So when this figure appeared out of frozen time, she realized it was something like her creator.
"I-I'll make you meet... sniff. I'll protect you from that wicked disciple...!"
"Uh, um... let's wipe your nose first? Come on, blow. Blow."
She tried soothing her first.
The archmage spent ten minutes mumbling her thoughts on Centra-Irid coupling before stopping her tears. Still, she managed to convey the key info: that she was an ally.
Three people gathered in the apocalypse shelter: the adventurer boy, the Resistance lady, and the archmage.
"Let me introduce you. This is Centra. And this is Pero."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Centra."
"Ah, hello! I'm Pero!"
"...Blond, huh."
Centra eyed Pero's golden hair intently. It reminded her of Irid. Then, just to be sure, she asked Yuna.
"Not Irid's kid, right?"
"...?!"
"The time I felt and outside time might differ. Just checking."
"No, Pero's just like you..."
"Aha."
Meanwhile, Pero glanced at Centra's chestplate armor and seemed reminded of someone. Of all things to recall from that, Yuna thought, flicking the boy's forehead. He had a subtly lecherous side.
"Wait, blond... and lecherous..."
Lightning struck Yuna's mind. This guy... was modeled after Irid?!
She'd thought the tear mark was from some adventurer party guy, but looking back, he matched Irid in many ways.
Maybe Elaine had scooped him up from Irid's think tank after realizing she doted on her brother.
"So, why did you call us here?"
"Oh, right... I want to propose a deal!"
She did want to protect these self-aware characters. Ideally, provide conveniences, even pull them into reality for satisfaction.
You promised a happy ending, but no reunion with Irid, you jerk.
But the Violet Magic Tower Master wasn't mistaking priorities. This was only if it didn't harm him—arranging mutual benefits.
The simulation world was vulnerable.
It was vast, full of other races and monsters galore. Especially beware dream demons that could infiltrate human dreams—and thus the simulation.
So her plan: use these self-aware NPCs as a sort of vaccine.
"Become a vigilante group."
"A vigilante group?"
"Yeah. Welcome new members warmly, live happily, and if any shady intruders slip in... give 'em a beating. In return, I'll provide conveniences..."
"So, you're making us your holy warriors, O God!"
Pero's eyes sparkled. Faith had dried up with the mutants' stirring, but religious lore passed down orally. Gods chose holy warriors to spread their will across the land.
Under the boy's admiring gaze, the tower master's shoulders puffed up subtly.
For some reason, her tower mages treated her with fear or cuteness, not respect. This pure admiration was new, making her swell with pride.
"Equipment, food, facilities... l-leave it to me. If data's lacking, I'll carve it out myself...!"
As the puffed-up tower master thumped her chest, requests poured in from Pero and Centra.
"Then a holy sword maybe...!"
"If I can request gear, could you make something comfier? This one's tight on the chest."
"A double-barrel shotgun...!!"
"A beautiful dress for reuniting with Irid..."
Rumble rumble.
The tower master unleashed her genius, mass-producing items: a full-body tightsuit revealing the chest shape but comfy for the wearer, a holy sword that wyvern-cried when you pressed the gem, and more.
By the time the creation sale piled up their dream items like a mountain, Centra—eyeing her deeply scooped-back dress—sneaked up to the tower master.
Centra tilted her head thoughtfully, then whispered:
"...What about Ronya? The one you possessed... don't you need to tell her?"
"H-how did you know I didn't...?! "
"Your expression's like a kid nervous about getting caught breaking a vase...?"
She'd read the lingering anxiety in Yuna's eyes amid the creation show.
She'd get found out eventually. Someday.
But Yuna had her reasons. These were characters from a 'finished story.' If he didn't reuse them, no need to mention yet—that was her scheme.
And while he'd learn eventually, Yuna wanted to delay it as long as possible from her side. He was influenced by 'that thing.' If symptoms worsened, he might literally 'toy' with Centra and Pero.
Once everything resolved and he was free of 'that,' then tell them...
Bzzz. A voice echoed from the sky.
-Tower Master, what're you doing there?
"Eeeeek!"
Crisis of total exposure struck already.