novelraw Chapter 151
Chapter 151
Chapter 151. The Repeater (3)
I had played through the scenario 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉 multiple times by then, and I had already grasped what the soldiers at this "North Pole" barrier were thinking.
They were dissatisfied with Wedge Knights.
Of course, 'Kaldrach', who managed this place, would know more about the situation.
"They probably thought it was an unlit bomb."
Until now, the soldiers' grievances had only surfaced as "a setting," never materializing into a full-blown uprising.
Even Kaldrach himself must have thought he could handle it within his authority.
But this fragmentary insight gave me valuable information,
"That guy's save load isn't perfect."
If it were a perfect feature designed for "players"—one where he could create desired save points and load from them—he would have crafted a flawless plan to capture the "One-Armed Demon" long before anything like this happened.
"The mere fact that it's not like that adds weight to the idea that it's far from perfect."
That meant I needed to find out when the "save" was made.
How?
Simply asking wasn't going to get a response. Who would readily divulge such crucial information?
'Still, if I can get him to talk even just a little...'
===
⇒ The 〈Foresight〉 Trait has confirmed new information about the target.
===
A 'system window' appeared above my head, and at the same time, a small 'system window' appeared above Kaldrach's head as well.
"Hm."
As I deciphered it, I realized it wasn't an ordinary matter, but Kaldrach seemed utterly unaffected.
'... Does he not see it?'
The blue 'window' floating in the air was far from ordinary. Even a 'player', used to it to the point of habit, couldn't help but let their gaze wander towards it.
Yet Kaldrach was just conversing with the Wedge Knights as if the 'system window' were invisible.
'Perhaps, seeing it is my own ability?'
That seemed plausible. I had already experienced the absurd situation of becoming part of a game world, so this was nothing.
Besides, if the abilities of a "player" were fragmented, then even reading such text could be considered one of the scattered "permissions."
"Things seem to be getting more restless. Unlike the Wedge Knights, the soldiers don't seem to be within Your Highness's grasp."
"It's all due to my own virtue. I initiated this."
"Doesn't seem like you've experienced such a situation before, Your Highness."
When I used the nuance, 'This thing called 'Repeater', whatever it may be, seems unfamiliar in such a situation,' Kaldrach briefly showed a hint of displeasure.
However, it didn't last long. Kaldrach's face soon returned to a state of calm and leisure.
The composure of someone who believes they can repeat it as many times as it takes.
'But, if he's a player, he should know about this... Is he a newbie?'
Confronted by Kaldrach's slightly unfamiliar demeanor, I decided to offer a bit of unsolicited advice.
"You should choose wisely."
Save Load.
A system exclusive to 'players', one that allowed a person to endure the vicious difficulty of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.
But, how was he able to use Save Load without even seeing a system window like a player?
'Could it be...?'
Having vaguely guessed the secret, I offered Kaldrach advice that wasn't quite advice.
"Because you might not be able to reverse it this time."
***
I had roughly anticipated that the soldiers of North Pole would revolt over "Yulian" being detained.
I had staged unnecessary drama in the process of handling the "One-Armed Demon" in preparation for this very situation.
"Sir Yulian!"
"Is that Sir Yulian? Has Sir Yulian come out!?"
Yet, the number of soldiers gathered here indicated that something strange was afoot.
"... Hmm."
There were too many of them.
The number of soldiers gathered to petition for Yulian's release was extraordinary.
If I exaggerated a bit, it seemed like all the personnel guarding the first gate of North Pole's barrier were present?
The number was so large that it felt like they could overturn a small city, and they greeted me with such enthusiasm.
"Are you alright!?"
"Is there any place you're hurt!?"
Their urgent questions after my well-being were quite a sight.
It even started to feel like a strange exhilaration, as if I had become a hero.
'... This is troublesome.'
Though I had intended something like this, the sheer volume of them made it awkward.
The owner of the Northern Front and barrier, "Kaldrach De Adratan," is the legitimate owner of this place.
The noble blood coursing through his veins gives him the right to claim ownership, and the "Wedge Knights" exists to protect him.
If Kaldrach observed my current state with a grudge...
'It's treason.'
One word, and I could face the guillotine.
Though the current 'Kaldrach', being more relaxed and less power-hungry than usual due to "regression," is unlikely to resort to the guillotine easily...
"The Wedge Knights wouldn't see it that way."
Their abnormal loyalty borders on fanaticism.
It could be compared to the loyalty "Yulian" naturally displayed toward the royal family?
Although they were currently just glaring at me with flushed faces, they were most definitely discussing something behind closed doors.
If Kaldrach were to pay heed to them, he might order my head to be displayed atop North Pole.
He might think he can start over even if he undermines the storyline.
"Did the Wedge Knights men leave Sir Yulian's noble body unharmed?"
I knew it! I expected this!
The soldiers who badmouthed the Wedge Knights, even in front of them.
Despite being comrades, shouldn't they avoid such behavior towards each other?
"Yes, I am alright. Please do not worry."
For the sake of my neck, that is.
I had thought I had somewhat adapted to acting as 'Yulian', assuming my unease had slightly subsided due to some habituation, but before the prince, it began to show more starkly.
"Hey, did you guys torture Sir Yulian while he was detained?"
"Right! He's sweating cold sweat!"
Stop it, just stop already!
"Sir, Sir Yulian..."
Among the many gathered soldiers, a familiar bald head came into view.
Felkhor...
What did you do?
"Didn't I tell you to hold position at the barrier?"
Thinking so, I approached Felkhor and spoke in a quiet tone.
"... What have you done?"
"Pardon?"
He seemed flustered, perhaps because my voice carried a hint of menace.
"What caused all this commotion?"
"... Well, Sir Yulian."
Felkhor leaned in close, allowing only me to hear.
"Gasp! Damn it!"
No matter how many times I saw this bastard's face, I couldn't adapt to it.
"There's a presence within this North Pole barrier..."
Very quietly, so only I could hear, he informed me that "Dawn Society" members were here as well.
"... And there were quite many."
Felkhor's words of disbelief were palpable.
'But you're part of Dawn Society too.'
Despite that, how is Dawn Society everywhere I go?
It may be the hidden plotline of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King〉, and while the gap between experiencing it and seeing it in the game is different...
... It's impressive they're surviving even in such a remote place without perishing.
"When it became known that Sir Yulian had arrived, they started working underground... planning to seize this place under Dawn Society's control."
Ah... Is that why most soldiers were on my side?
'No... That much was within intention.'
It was partly the reason I caught "Zahard" and released him.
'But aside from that... It's too much.'
If I let the soldiers' attention focus on me, the fire could spread in an odd direction.
"Everyone, I am disappointed in you."
With that thought, I decided to quell the soldiers and divert their attention elsewhere.
"The savages are coming, and yet you're neglecting your posts at the gate to assemble here?"
"But Sir Yulian..."
"There is no 'but'. Aren't you the soldiers who protect the northern part of the empire?"
Am I not worth more than this to you?
I conveyed plenty of that nuance.
"If this place falls, not just you, but the very foundation of the empire will be shaken. Are you unaware of that? Foolishness!"
To dispel the likability of 'Yulian'.
"Understood, Sir Yulian!"
"We will return to our posts immediately!"
Huh?
"Everyone! Return to your stations!"
"Yes, it's Sir Yulian's command!"
They kept chanting my name, as the soldiers began to return to the gates.
"With Sir Yulian accompanying us, we have nothing to fear from the savages!"
Wait, didn't I speak quite harshly? Why does it seem like morale is improving?
The soldiers, swiftly finding their positions, trained their eyes on the incoming savages.
This time, the savage assault wouldn't be on the scale of the 'One-Armed Demon'.
So long as they held their ground and the gates remained closed, they could fend off the attack.
Briefly glancing, I observed Kaldrach's countenance.
Something seemed...not quite right.
That would be understandable.
After all the effort expended on the Northern Front, the soldiers were chanting my name, defending the gates with fervor.
'... Could I actually be heading for the guillotine?'
With that thought, I decided drastic measures were necessary.
***
Kaldrach, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers of the North Pole barrier, felt something was amiss.
'Has there... ever been an occasion like this?'
The soldiers revolting.
Through several repetitions, such an event hadn't occurred until now.
More precisely, the "signs" were there, but nothing had ever manifested.
Which is why Kaldrach had overlooked the issue. It hadn't happened before, and it wouldn't again.
However.
'... It's going awry.'
Kaldrach mumbled to himself without realizing it.
Since the miraculous event called "Repeat" became possible, Kaldrach had noticed one fact,
This world had a 'structure'.
And the world flowed according to that 'structure'.
'They're like beings born to recite a script.'
The stage was the Rozenda Continent.
Everyone gracing this platform seemed like actors performing for some purpose.
Initially, Kaldrach tried hard to break that 'structure'.
But eventually, he thought,
'Is it really necessary?'
Knowing the future was the greatest asset one could possess.
Accumulating information equated to assuring oneself of the power to grow stronger.
Having reached this point, Kaldrach resolved himself to gather as much information as possible through frequent 'repetitions'.
Through this, a sense of "leisure" developed in him.
And he even started to harbor the delusion that he had most happenings of this world in his grasp.
Then, an unexpected event occurred,
【Sword Saint Hayden Reich, defects to the Holy Country.】
The treason of the noble and virtuous Sword Saint.
It was something absent in previous "repetition" processes.
Moreover, the infrequent updates of "Dawn Society" were unprecedented occurrences.
"The structure is breaking."
With a sequence of unprecedented events unfolding, Kaldrach began entertaining a worrisome notion:
Could he perhaps not undergo "repetition" in this life? The doubt arose.
― You might not be able to reverse it this time.
As if to nullify his unease, the uninvited guest at North Pole's barrier had offered a warning.
Yulian Cryphart Prasan.
Until now, he was merely a convenient sword for the royal family.
Through several 'repetitions', he had never bitten at the royal family—he was simply destined to be exploited.
"Hm."
Watching soldiers organize their ranks and fend off savages, Kaldrach let out a soft groan.
Approaching him was Yulian, who had introduced "unease" into his life.
"Are you denying being the same 'repeater' as me, while knowingly allowing the savages to come?"
"Huhut."
Instead of answering, he simply chuckled briefly.
Though it was a chilling laugh, it suited him perfectly.
Before the start of this 'repetition', Kaldrach had never experienced such sentiments.
"Even if I'm not a 'repeater' Your Highness speaks of, there are those who have ways of knowing."
It felt like he was jeering at Kaldrach's empty facade, claiming he saw right through him.
"What is it, then?"
If Yulian were to share something irrelevant, he could counter everything.
Because he had amassed vast data through countless 'repetitions'.
On this side, having repeated twenty times, the information possessed was...
"There won't be a 21st, so Your Highness should choose words and actions carefully from now on."