Mobuseka Volume 13 Chapter 4

This is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.

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Chapter 4 "The Past"

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Part 1

A small but elaborate banquet was being held in the fleet of the Voldenowa Holy Magic Empire.

In the great hall inside Arcadia, knights and officers of high rank were assembled.

Among them are Finn and other Magic Knights.

As they approached the continent where the kingdom of Horfalt was located, drinks and food were served to raise the morale of the generals at the time of the decisive battle.

It was a standing buffet party, and participants enjoyed drinking, eating, and conversing.

Finn, standing against the wall, crosses his arms and doesn't touch the drink or food.

It was Leenhardt Lua Kirchner who spoke to Finn.

At the young age of 15, he is a prodigy swordsman who has earned the third seat as a Magic Knight.

Red eyes and red hair.

Perhaps he was particular about his hairstyle, as he had several thin strands of long hair that made streaks in his hair.

It seems that he takes a lot of time to set it.

"You look grim, senpai."

As the foul-mouthed junior approached, Finn turned only his gaze.

"You look like you're having fun."

Leenhardt made a smile with both corners of his mouth raised as he ate the food on his plate.

He had a face that said he was looking forward to the fight.

"Isn't it fun to beat a strong guy? Bartfalt, who is rumored to have pushed senpai into a corner, I'm going to kill him"

He showed confidence that he could kill Leon.

At the same time, it is probably a provocation to Finn, who was unable to defeat Leon.

Perhaps curious about their conversation, a young man interrupts.

It was Reimer Lua Kirchner, newly admitted as the fifth seat.

He is Leenhardt's older brother, but this one is taller and has short red hair that stands back.

He was a hot-blooded man, and Finn was slightly uncomfortable with him.

"Is it the rumored Fiend Knight? Did you, the first seat really not be able to defeat him?"

Although Reimer is young, he is twenty-one years old, which makes him older than Finn.

However, in terms of position, Finn is the superior.

"Aa, he's strong."

When Finn answered briefly, Lienhardt, who had been interrupted, had a clearly disgusted look on his face.

"Interrupting a conversation between me and senpai, for a newbie, you seem pretty bossy."

Reimer raises an eyebrow at Leenhardt, who shows little respect for him, his older brother.

He may be angry, but at the same time, he understands the difference in ability and position, so he does not object.

"——I just want to get in on the conversation, isn't it fine?"

"Haah? Of course it's not fine. You're a half-assed bastard who got into the 5th seat out of pity, and you think you're a full-fledged Magic Knight. This is why I hate people without talent."

Lienhardt, who despises weak people, hated Reimer, who was less talented than him.

It must be even more infuriating because they are related by blood.

This time, a man with long black hair joins the conversation between Finn and the others.

It's Hubert Luo Hein, the fourth seat's Magic Knight.

He is a type that is good at group battles, and although he is said to be the fourth best, but it is rumored that he is as good as Finn in a real fight.

Hubert, who gives the impression of being a calm and pleasant young man, gently cautions Leenhardt, who is giving off an aggressive aura.

"It's not good to have a fight at a banquet, the people around you are worried, so you should stop there."

Looking around, they were worried that Leenhardt and Reimer might start a fight at any moment.

Hubert intervened, and everyone around him was relieved.

Finn noticed that Hubert was trying to talk to him.

"Do you need something from me?"

"I wanted to ask your opinion, having studied in the kingdom. The speed of our advance has been delayed by the situation in Arcadia. And yet, there has been little movement by the Kingdom's army. How do you see this?"

He asked what the unmoving kingdom was thinking.

Finn lets out a small sigh.

"Don't ask me about the Kingdom's decisions."

"Rather than the country, I'm more interested in the thoughts of the Grand Duke Bartfalt, with whom you fought. From what I hear, he is the center of the kingdom now, isn't he?"

"——From my point of view, he's a crazy person. It's impossible to read his thoughts."

"That's unfortunate. ——But I understood that he was thinking unpredictably. I wonder what he is thinking about us who are taking it easy."

As Hubert ponders, Reimer shrugs.

"Are they preparing for war, or are they just fighting amongst themselves? Frankly, I doubt there is a country that could fight a fleet of this size."

The Imperial Army was also deploying all possible forces, but first and foremost was Arcadia.

From Reimer's point of view, this must seem like excessive force.

Leenhardt is apparently not interested in the idea of his older brother.

"It doesn't matter either way. If they don't attack us, we can just overrun them, and if they come at us, we can just cut them down. Well, I prefer enemies that come at me."

Hearing Lienhardt's opinion, Finn wrinkled his brows.

"You're so carefree. Have you forgotten what's going to happen?"

Lienhardt retorts in a sullen manner.

"I remember. We're going to completely destroy the kingdom, right? Not just the country. The people of the kingdom on the continent as well. What does it matter?"

"Even though you know——"

Even so, when Leenhardt said he wanted to enjoy the fight, Finn lost his patience and almost made a move.

But then, Finn is forced to wait.

"Let it stop there."

The person who came was Gunther Lua Sebald, who was in the second seat.

He is the oldest of the Magic Knights and was the first seat until Finn showed up.

He was a big, muscular, and dignified man.

"We are about to go to war with the Kingdom, and there is no need to fight amongst ourselves."

Finn, glaring at Gunther, withdrew his hand in frustration.

Gunther looks at Finn like that and says he doesn't seem amused.

"You don't deserve to be in the first seat right now. If you can't behave in a manner befitting your position, I'll take your place anytime."

Finn smiles intentionally.

"Do you want the first place that I took away from you so badly? Then you can have this position anytime you want it."

Gunther clenched his hand tightly at the flippant remark.

Although it looked as if he was about to strike him, he was in the position of coming to mediate a dispute.

As if to restrain himself, Gunther turns his back on Finn.

Hubert smiled bitterly as he looked at Gunter's back as he left.

"That person has always been hot-blooded."

The Magic Knights were lacking in unity, but each and every one of them was capable of destroying a small country.

This war, in which Arcadia participates, also seemed confident of victory, and from Finn's point of view, it lacked a sense of tension.

Finn sees Moritz talking with the generals in the distance.

Moritz, who had just been enthroned as emperor, held in his hand the cane, the symbol of power that had been held by his predecessor, Karl.

(I guess the only one who realizes the gravity of the situation is the Emperor)

He was smiling at everyone around him, but Moritz was clearly worn out.

He is the one who caused this war and is the hated opponent who assassinated the previous emperor.

But Finn could not blame Moritz.

(I guess I'm just like the Emperor after all. ——Say, old man. if you were alive, what would you say when you see us now?)

Although they had used to curse at each other, but for Finn, he was a fellow like-minded person.

It is disheartening that Karl is not here.

(I know I'm on the wrong path. But I really want to protect Mia's future. Old man, even if you're gone —— I promise you that I will protect Mia.)

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Part 2

Because it was before the war, the party was cut short.

Moritz returned to his room and dismissed his caretakers from the room to be alone.

Sitting on the bed, Moritz clutches the cane of his father, whom he killed, with both hands.

"We will invade the kingdom soon, Father."

Moritz, once said to be full of vitality and somewhat rough around the edges, has now lost a little of his former self and has become feeble.

Nevertheless, he accepted Arcadia's proposal in order to seize the future for themselves —— the subjects of the Empire.

If my father betrayed and joined hands with the kingdom, I would be the one to do it——He thought.

"If Father hadn't betrayed me, things would have been better by now. It's your fault for betraying us."

He told himself so, hoping to lessen his guilt as much as possible.

But no matter how much he blames his father, Moritz's heart is not lightened.

"Really, why did this happen——If I had to go through this, I didn't want to be Emperor."

He cries, sniffles, and thinks of his father, the man he killed.

What was the previous Emperor Karl thinking and why did he want to join forces with the kingdom —— In the end, he couldn't ask him the reason.

"Hey, Father——Why did you try to betray us? Even though I didn't want to kill you!"

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Part 3

Hangar of Einhorn.

I was holed up in the cockpit in order to make adjustments to Arroganz, which had been completed after the modifications.

Luxion, who helps with the adjustments, explains the improvements to Arroganz.

[Because of the additional armor and additional armament, the range of motion is more limited than before. Due to the short modification period, it is no longer possible to combine it with Schwert unless the additional armor is purged.]

Additional armor plating has been installed in various areas and additional armament has been added.

The figure was a fulfillment of the boy's romantic notion of final battle use.

"How are Schwert's modifications going?"

[The performance is guaranteed, although I stopped at improving the basic performance. Would you like to test with a simulator?]

"How many times can we do this before we go out?"

I would like to train in the simulator many times, but time will not allow it.

I always think at the last minute.

——I should have prepared for this long ago, I thought.

"Ever since my previous life, I'm always in a last minute rush. Even though I had a previous life, I haven't grown."

When I mock myself in amazement, Luxion surprisingly denies it.

[Master has grown up]

"I'm surprised you're giving me a compliment. Are you out of your usual sarcasm and cynicism?"

I think a smile naturally appeared on my face.

Luxion didn't change his opinion when I teased him.

[Didn't you recognize those five? If it were Master when we met, he would not have accepted those five.]

"No, I think I'd recognize them. Because they're better and finer than I am."

[Those five?]

I say to Luxion, who is doubtful, as I proceed with the adjustment.

"I really didn't like them before I met them. But after meeting them, talking to them, and fighting with them —— as it turned out, they were nicer and better people than I was. I was the one who was no good."

Before I was reincarnated, I was playing that otome game.

I was making fun of Julius and the others, the capture targets.

But now that I think about it, I was the one who was really stupid.

This is not the only case.

They really loved Marie.

As for me, I can't remember how many times I've made Ange and the others cry just because I didn't want them to get involved.

Moreover, when Marie told the truth —— those guys accepted it.

It's very different from me who always complains.

"I'm no good. Now I finally realize that I was the one who was stupid. I want them to survive, you know? I hope they'll be happy with Marie. Well, I don't know if they'll be happy or not."

One woman and five men —— I can't imagine what form of happiness that would take.

Even if the relationship would break down in the future, I really wanted them to survive.

"Ange, Livia, and Noel, I hope they don't die. My dad and my mom —— No good, I still don't want anyone I know to die. I'm about to go to war, and I'm still so selfish."

Even though you want to kill your opponent, you end up thinking that you don't want the enemy to kill you.

It may be a natural thought, but what a cowardly one.

[In this case, it was the Empire that started it first. There is no need for Master to be concerned. In fact, I would say that I am the main cause.]

"The main cause?"

[I have involved Master in the conflict between the old humans and the new humans.]

Luxion turned his lens away from me and regretted having involved me in the whole matter of causation.

"——Maybe it was already decided that this would happen from the moment I got you."

I am ashamed of myself for having innocently obtained great power and being happy that my life was secure.

[It's not too late now. Would you like to run away?]

I smile and tell my partner, who is urging me to run away after coming all this way.

"Absolutely no."

[You really are a stubborn man.]

I continue to make adjustments, and after a series of checks, I let out a breath.

Then, I pointed with my thumb at the school bag —— the small backpack on my back.

"Enough with the idle talk. More importantly, can this thing be used without any problems?"

Attached to the back of the pilot suit is a backpack that is a few centimeters thick and covers the area around the shoulder blades.

What was inside was a trump card enhancement drug that Marie had obtained for me.

Luxion pauses for a few seconds before answering.

[——Creare says that use is not a problem. The maximum number of times it can be used is three. Immediately after dosing, Master's physical and magic abilities increase, but the duration of effect is 10 minutes. After the effects wear off, I will administer a neutralizer, but I predict that the strain on the body will be considerable.]

"Is the duration of effect just 10 minutes? Can't it be longer?"

The effects of this strengthening drug, which can be called a powerful drug, are tremendous.

However, the problem is that the effect time is short.

After administering the neutralizer, it seems that the interval is also inserted, so it is difficult to use.

[Any more of it, Master's body will not be able to take it. Normally, this is not a drug that should be used]

"Considering you can be a hero for ten minutes, that's not bad, huh?"

If I use the drug, the effect will appear quickly and I will be able to gain superhuman abilities.

The only problem is that the price of immense effectiveness is my life.

To me, who assumes I'm going to use it, Luxion rejects the idea.

[——I do not recommend using it recklessly.]

"Don't worry. I'll choose when to use it."

After all, the opponent is Arcadia——Voldenowa Holy Magic Empire.

If there are Magic Knights like Finn who are waiting, it is not surprising that there will be situations where I will have no choice but to use it.

"For me, it's a little disappointing that it's only three times."

In response to my comment, Luxion warns me again.

[Do not think about using it a third time. Even the first time it is used, there is a danger of losing one's life. I can assure Master's body will not hold out for a second or third time. If I deem it dangerous, I will forbid its use.]

It would be a problem if Luxion prevented me from administering the drug.

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of letting go of my trump card. ——Luxion, this is an "order". No restrictions on the use of strengthening drugs."

[Master?]

Looking at Luxion muttering in a somewhat sad voice, I was reminded that he is truly rich in emotion.

I've known this guy for over three years, and he's changed a lot.

"Don't stop me this time."

I guess he gave up thinking I wouldn't budge. Luxion makes casual remarks.

[Is it really just this time? Master is a liar so I can't trust him.]

"You're back to your normal self."

This is Luxion.

I smile and ask Luxion for a favor.

"——If something happens to me, I'll ask you to take care of the rest. I'm worried about everyone."

[I refuse.]

The unexpected response makes me sound more than a little angry and irritated.

"This should be the scene where you listen to your Master's wishes, right?"

However, Luxion gives a logical reason.

[If something happens to Master, it means that I already do not exist. So, if you want to protect everyone, you must survive.]

I rolled my eyes in surprise at Luxion's explanation, and then I put my hands over my face and laughed out loud.

This guy said he would die before I did!

"Are you planning on committing suicide with me?"

When I laugh at him, Luxion shakes his single eye to the side and gestures yare yare.

"I don't wish it's a double suicide. But——if something were to happen to Master and I, Creare will take care of it."

"I see. I'm relieved to hear that."

——I felt really relieved.

"Then all that's left to do is sink the enemy's cheat weapons and put an end to all this. Sorry, but I'm going to need you to stay with me until the end."

For this time, Luxion will not go unscathed.

And Luxion must have noticed that, too.

Even though he is aware of it, he still follows me.

[Without me, Master wouldn't be able to fight satisfactorily.]

"You could say that, too. At times like this, you should be able to sense the atmosphere and say the lines that match that."

[A serious atmosphere doesn't suit Master.]

"Indeed!"

Compared to Julius and the others, I'm just a mob, and even if I dress up, it's just a gag.

I enjoyed my conversation with Luxion, and then I let out a breath.

"I'm sorry you got dragged into this."

[I don't mind. Because you are my Master.]