Chapter 125 - Invasion
The seventeen years I have spent living.
The things I have seen. The things I have obtained. The things I have killed.
I will tell all of it, without hiding a single thing.
The process of an ordinary middle school student reaching adulthood in a foreign land, until he was worn down to the bone.
The circumstances that led to him becoming the protagonist of the battlefield.
Sugitani-san was listening intently, a wrinkle forming between her brows.
Her expression was businesslike, devoid of both sympathy and astonishment.
I had explained several gruesome scenes, yet her complexion didn't change even once. As expected, she might be used to violent matters.
If that's the case, there's no need for restraint. It makes things easier for me as well.
I continued to move my mouth, intending to strip away all mildness from my descriptions and convey everything I knew.
And so, perhaps about five minutes had passed.
Just as I was beginning to feel mentally exhausted from talking too much, Sugitani-san muttered softly.
"It's hard to believe at first glance."
I agreed, saying I understood how she felt.
If someone were told such a tall tale, they would normally think the speaker had lost their mind.
"It certainly lacks a sense of reality, having adventured in a world that feels like a medieval European fantasy."
"What I find unbelievable is not those parts, but the level of civility of the people from that other world."
"...Eh?"
"You were suddenly abducted while still in your teens, Nakamoto-san, and worked like a slave as a soldier. You were relentlessly thrown into battlefields despite your refusal to kill, and in the end, you were sent back to your homeland without being given proper compensation. To top it off, they are sending assassins one after another out of fear of your retaliation. They possess warlike and inhumane values."
How should I respond?
It's true that that world wasn't much good, but it was also the birthplace of Elsa and Angelica.
I felt a desire to argue that there were good people among them, mixed with a sense of relief that she understood my hardships. Those two feelings blended together, leaving me in a complex state of mind.
"They are very dangerous people. That is the only way I can view them."
"A certain percentage might be like that, but not everyone is a bad person. There were people among them who were kind to me."
"Even if there were good people among the slaves or peasants, the behavior of the royalty and priests is the problem. If the leadership class operates with distorted values, an organization will inevitably lean toward evil. Even if it is as large as a nation."
"That... I suppose you're right."
There were many instances that came to mind.
Whether in the other world or the real world, such cases are seen countless times.
"So, I want to confirm one more time. The other world where you were, Nakamoto-san, was undoubtedly medieval European-style, correct?"
"Yes. Though it was strictly 'style'."
After all, not only did magic and monsters exist, but plate armor and miniskirts—products of somewhat over-advanced technology—were also widespread.
If anything, it might be more accurate to describe that world as "JRPG-style."
I decided not to say that, as explaining it with gaming terminology to someone of Sugitani-san's age would likely only cause more confusion.
"From what I hear, the standard of living feels like the late Middle Ages. Europe after it had already regained its wealth."
"If that's the case, is there a problem?"
"Even if there are slight differences, if that world roughly follows the history of the European continent, wouldn't the next stage be the Age of Discovery? Europe accumulated wealth during the Middle Ages and entered an era of enthusiastic external expansion. If they possess a similar culture, it wouldn't be strange for them to consider similar things."
Sugitani-san declared with a grim expression.
"And they are sending demi-humans and monsters into this world. They are showing interest in the Earth where we reside. In other words—is it not possible that they might invade this planet?"
"Eh?"
"Just as our world, the European nations, invaded Africa and the Americas. The people of the other world might invade Earth. An army led by barbaric rulers, onto our land."
I shook my head, thinking, No way.
An expedition across dimensions? That's too much, no matter how you look at it.
I knew very well how inefficient summoning magic was. Just sending one or two people required a considerable amount of energy.
Attempting an invasion while leading a large-scale army was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Except, it wasn't.
I remembered Philia easily summoning multiple monsters during combat.
She was certainly a highly skilled priest to begin with, but she wasn't quite at that level.
Had some kind of technological innovation in summoning magic occurred in that world?
Will it eventually reach a point where anyone can casually come to this world?
"Of course, for now, it is merely at the stage of my own paranoia. ...Due to my profession, I have a habit of being suspicious of people. I apologize if I have caused offense."
I replied to Sugitani-san, who gave a small bow, telling her not to worry about it.
This country likely maintains some of the best public order in the world precisely because people like her obsessively deal with dangerous elements in advance.
"By the way, Nakamoto-san, may I ask you one thing?"
"What is it?"
"You occasionally make remarks that seem to defend the people of the other world. Even after everything you were put through. Though, since it seems you entered a romantic relationship with a local woman, perhaps that is understandable."
I couldn't say, And I'm even sheltering two women from that world in my house right now.
"What will you do, Nakamoto-san? If a state of war were to break out between us Earthlings and the people of the other world, which side will you take?"
"That's obviously the Earth's side. I am Japanese. My foundation for living is in this country. ...Besides, the women from the other world who were kind to me have already passed away."
As if trying to see through my heart, Sugitani-san stared intently into my eyes.
"...I see. I am relieved to hear those words. That is good, Nakamoto-san. You are the final line of defense for our country. You are the strongest military force, a monster who alone slew two entities that could perform aerial combat on equal terms with fighter jets. You are a walking nuclear weapon. If you were to harbor hesitation in battle, nothing could be more terrifying."
"I don't like killing, but if something happens, I will stand with Earth. I promise you that."
"...As I thought, it would be better if you had a woman."
I could see an extraordinary light dwelling in Sugitani-san's eyes. It was at a level that could be described as intense.
"Nakamoto-san, you should have a family. If you had a wife and children to protect, you would surely attempt to prevent a national crisis by any means necessary."
How much easier would it be if I could confess that I was already in a state of having children?
Unfortunately, I couldn't confess due to the overly brutal reason that, with Angelica and the others, it was difficult to distinguish whether they were children or common-law wives.
...I think I'm living in a rather ominous situation myself, but even I don't know how it came to this.
"In the future, I would like you to engage in fertility activities, Nakamoto-san."
"...Even though I don't even have a partner?"
"We will prepare that on our end. If you are dissatisfied, please feel free to request a change as many times as necessary."
It's not like this is some strange shop.
What is this defense official saying with such a handsome face?
"I-I... right now, I'm not in a state where I can even think about marriage or making children."
As long as the memory of Elsa lives in my heart, I can't imagine having a family with another woman.
Those were words born from such a pure-hearted reason, but Sugitani-san's interpretation was...
"I see. So you still want to play around with women. You want to avoid being tied down to a specific partner..."
It was.
She was the worst.
...People of Sugitani-san's generation basically have a predatory way of thinking.
Being from the generation where "failing to provide a meal for a waiting woman is a man's shame," she is impossible to reason with.
"Well, if that's the case, that is also fine. We will simply deploy women one after another who will make you instinctively want to impregnate them."
I watched with exasperation as my superior sipped from her cup with a composed face, telling me to look forward to it.