CH 131.2

Chapter 131.2. We Win, But Still Lose!

“No, what you have done is a great thing. It is greater than defeating any demon, Countess Takano.”

Admiral Kojo, whose eyes but serious, points around with one hand.

“The warriors also have families. Some are good friends. They are not their only bodies. Many care about them.”

The seriousness of his face overwhelms me. It’s more than any powerful enemy. I can feel the pressure in his eyes.

It’s uncomfortable. It’s just a casual, quick fix.

“My family members are so anxious and worried just because I put one band-aid on it and my husband or my son comes home.”

“That’s right!”

“No way I’m losing my arm.”

“I’m just bandaged up. That’s all the fuss!”

The surrounding warriors each affirm the Admiral’s words by raising their plates of curry and waving their spoons.

“Those around you are right. You have done great things. I hope you understand that.”

“…………”

The warriors are noisy. They all thank me with dazzling smiles.

…… What can I say? I’ve been happy before, but I feel they’re living in reality.

They’re happy that they’re recovered, but more than that, they don’t want to worry about their families.

I see, family. I’m with Miu. I have a family too.

My heart fills up, and I’m at a loss to react.

To Miu, Admiral Kojou straightens his appearance and bows his head with a serious expression.

“Countess Takano. Thank you for your efforts on this occasion. And from now on, I swear that the Kojou family will stand by Countess Takano Miu.”

Raising his head and placing his hand on his chest, the old Admiral announced with sincere eyes. It was like a knight’s oath.

“Well, are you sure? I’m only 10 years old?”

Without flirtation, I also make eye contact with Admiral Kojou with a serious expression. Without smiling at the serious expression on the young girl’s face, Admiral Kojou shakes his head.

“Age is irrelevant. If Countess Takano had not visited us here. We would get wiped out. You have changed the miserable fate of so many people. Strap your chest up, Countess Takano.”

“I understand. As the head of Takano County, I accept the favor of the Kojou family. I swear I will not be ashamed of your favors from now on.”

My hands, tiny as autumn leaves and rugged with prominent wrinkles, shook hands, and the surrounding warriors were thrilled and congratulated him on his appearance.

Then it was midnight.

In front of the forest at the entrance to Tokyo, most people were asleep, and silence covered the night. No guards get stationed this far out, and we could hear only the buzzing insects sound from somewhere in the middle of the night.

A girl of small stature was standing.

Her face was not its usual pretty self but smelled of danger.

“Did you leave your alter ego behind?”

I nod back, not surprised when a voice calls out from the shadows.

“She’s in bed now, sleeping peacefully, my alter ego created by Anemoi’s power. Is everything alright Grandpa?”

It’s midnight, Mii-chan is off, and Miu is in player mode.

“The monkey was bothering me, but no problem. I’ve slipped out of it by using [Hide].”

A grandpa appears as if melting out of space. Odin asked with narrowed one-eyed eyes while fixing the broad-brimmed hat on his head with his hand.

“I see…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

He must have felt something strange about Miu’s mysterious look. He asked with a curious look on his face.

“This is reality. I’ve been in a game mood lately.”

I don’t think Takano Miu understood the meaning of saving the warriors. She thought it was just a matter of saving them and being happy. She thought it was just a matter of recovering Mashiro.

She didn’t care about their backgrounds. I didn’t think they’ll happy for their family. Maybe I thought they were just people that say thank you only, just like in the game.

I don’t know that by saving them. I was helping so many people beyond them.

So I was a little moved by my actions.

“So you’re going to act according to reality from now on?”

Odin confirms, touching his gray hair.

If I’m the hero of a novel or something, I would nod and resolve to try harder from now on.

“No, I’m determined to act as I have in the past.”

Somewhere a voice is whispering I shouldn’t immerse in that emotion.

Helping people and my desire for gratitude are similar, but not the same. So I’ll keep the excitement I felt earlier in my mind and act with a mind that’s half in a game mood.

“Hmm?”

It was probably an unexpected line. Odin lifts his eyebrows with a twitch.

“These little hands are strong. We need to help them on a whim, just like God. If we always act with people in mind, It’s going to be for the good of humanity, or our egos in the end.”

I don’t go around helping people from one end of the spectrum, like for humanity. I only help those within my reach, such as friends, loved ones, and mobs that die for the story’s sake.

Saving humanity is not in the cards. Even Shin didn’t do that.

The gap between rich and poor will not go away, nor will save the hearts and minds of all humanity.

I will continue to complete my quest with my game specification body and my player’s mind.

Conversely, because I have player’s mind, I will always look at things from a third-party perspective, preventing me from becoming an egoist.

It’s a principle of behavior befitting a mob protagonist.

The mob player is more suited to completing the subplots.

“That’s a very God-like ego. Is that what you call God?”

With a steady thump of her shoes, Frigg-oneesan emerges from the darkness.

“Then I guess we can leave Gerðr alone. Can’t we?”

With a bewitching smile, Frigg-oneesan teases.

“No, I’ll kill her. I’ll stretch out myself to prevent at least the disastrous depressing development of the original story. I don’t need a mob killed to enhance the story in real life.”

“Hmm. That’s about right.”

“Okay, I get it. Let’s start the quest.”

Miu’s eyes narrowed like a bird of prey, and she gave a ferocious smile. Odin smiled wryly, and Frigg shrugged her shoulders.

“We’ve already conquered the middle boss’ room. Let’s go, Odin, Frigg.”

At Miu’s command, Odin uses teleportation, and the three of us disappear as the darkness glows slightly.

“By the way, Frigg-oneesan. What are those accessories you’re wearing all over your body?”

“I found it in an armored car that fell on the corner there. Someone probably threw away it because they didn’t want it.”