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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Ever since I first regained my memories, I’d been pondering one thing.
How could I persuade the protagonists of the various templates, the key players and most outstanding potential allies in “Planetarium”?
Their names, appearances, and even genders were different from the ones I knew in the game.
But some things wouldn’t have changed.
Regardless of gender, the “Heir of Red and Blue Blood” would grapple with the deep resentment and responsibility tied to their lineage.
Regardless of appearance, the “Proud Barbarian” would never act against the pride they held as a member of their tribe.
So, what about the “Nameless War Ghost”?
The “Nameless War Ghost” wasn’t born with a special lineage, nor did they have a strong sense of belonging to any particular faction.
The template with the least, yet simultaneously the most freedom.
But I thought, wasn’t the “Nameless War Ghost,” who willingly threw themselves into countless dangers of this world without any burden, responsibility, or compulsion, the greediest template of all?
Even more so than the “Greedy Prodigal.”
‘An endless desire for improvement. That’s the defining characteristic of the “Nameless War Ghost.” So, I’ll offer a path to fulfill that desire.’
“Greater heights? What do you mean?”
I answered Regret’s question.
“Right now, I’m just one of the candidates to inherit the Midas family. But I don’t intend to stop there.”
Even if I smoothly gained the Lord’s favor and was chosen as the heir, would my life be peaceful and safe?
No way.
I knew about the terrifying number of ticking time bombs lurking in this world.
For example, the mad prince who would drown his own nation in blood for the sake of power.
For example, the dungeon that would bring ruin to the surrounding area if not conquered within a certain time limit.
For example, the cursed weapon that endlessly fueled its owner’s bloodlust to regain its true form.
I wasn’t laid-back enough to sit back and assume someone else would handle things while a time bomb ticked away right next to me.
Even if it wasn’t a world-ending threat, there would be more than enough people who would resent me simply for being a Midas.
In a life where stopping wasn’t an option, and giving up wasn’t in my nature, the answer was obvious.
Run like hell.
“In two years, I’m going to the Imperial Academy. A place created by the continent’s strongest nation, its greatest hero, to nurture the next generation of talents.
Monsters will gather there from the Barhardt Empire, the Sphero Kingdom, the Morian Kingdom, the Nahat Grand Duchy, and all other corners of the world.
I will gain power, connections, wealth, and fame there.”
“…”
Regret didn’t reply.
But I didn’t miss the strange glint that appeared in her eyes.
“It won’t be an easy path.
There will be countless people stronger than a mere mercenary girl.
There will be countless people wealthier than the youngest son of a nouveau riche family.
You might face life-threatening situations and experience great humiliation. But…”
I smiled.
“…isn’t that what makes it worth challenging?”
What value was there in overcoming easily surmountable obstacles?
What satisfaction could be found in easily obtained achievements?
At least I knew the girl before me wasn’t that kind of person.
I extended my hand.
“You don’t intend to remain a mere mercenary, do you? Let’s go together. I need your strength.”
Perhaps this was a deception.
Even without me, without joining me, Regret might grow stronger in the next two years and knock on the Academy’s doors without any help.
She might shine brightly there and soar to even greater heights.
Just like the “Nameless War Ghost” in the game.
But so what?
‘Just because she can do it alone doesn’t mean she should.’
I was the “Greedy Prodigal.”
At least I was proficient in strengthening my allies.
I could take her higher than she could ever reach on her own.
Regret silently stared at my outstretched hand.
I waited patiently, for ten seconds, a minute, ten minutes.
She was making a choice that could determine the course of her life.
Finally, she spoke.
“I have three conditions.”
“What are they?”
Regret looked at me.
Her deep brown eyes shimmered beautifully in the sunlight.
“One, you will not involve or exploit the Brown Wolf Mercenary Company in any way in this contract.”
Essentially, don’t use them as hostages.
It was a reasonable request, so I nodded.
“Even if you refuse this offer, no harm will come to them. Likewise, even if you decide to work with me, nothing will change for them.”
Regret stated her next condition.
“Two, if you lose your ambition to climb higher and falter, I will leave as well.”
This was also acceptable.
Though I doubted this world would give me the option to falter.
“Alright, I won’t stop you then.”
I asked about the final condition.
“What’s the third?”
Regret replied,
“I have no complaints about the bodyguard duties themselves. I will protect you, and you will compensate me.
But that doesn’t mean I accept you as my master. Regardless of appearances, don’t think of me as a convenient subordinate.”
“Hmm.”
I pondered.
Not because I had any objections to the condition itself, but because I was considering how best to convey my thoughts.
The answer came to me quickly.
“Then can I add one condition as well?”
She raised her chin, as if to say, “Go ahead,” while frowning slightly. I said,
“Call me Chrom. Not ‘you’ or ‘Master.’ If we’re equal partners, we should at least call each other by name, shouldn’t we?”
Regret’s eyes widened for a moment, then she smiled and took my hand.
“Pleased to meet you, employer. I mean, Chrom.”
“Likewise, Regret.”
If there were a game status window in this world, it would probably display a message like this:
[You have successfully recruited the “Nameless War Ghost” as an ally.]
Alright, now the real game begins.
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As the two young people made their unconventional promise for the future, a man watching them from hiding chuckled.
“Well, I was hoping for a sweet confession to keep that wild child in check…”
This wasn’t keeping her in check; it was adding fuel to the fire.
It seemed she wouldn’t be jumping into dungeons full of unknown traps or facing monsters capable of single-handedly destroying villages anytime soon, but in the long run, maybe that would have been better.
Clark, the leader of the Brown Wolf Mercenary Company, briefly considered whether he should try to dissuade the girl, whom he considered a younger sister, from walking such a dangerous path, then shook his head.
Despite her cute appearance, he knew how stubborn she was.
Since she had made her decision after careful consideration, she wouldn’t listen to anything he said.
Stop her by force?
Forget about incurring the wrath of the youngest son of the Midas family; Regret herself might come after him.
He still had traumatic memories of trying to act as her instructor, only to be soundly beaten seven times in a row after initially winning three matches, once she figured out his patterns.
He had gone through a lot of trouble calming down his members who wanted to avenge their leader after she had pummeled him.
During their time in the mercenary group, the members believed that Clark shared a room with Regret because he was worried someone might have improper intentions towards her, and they thought he was favoring her because he had no children.
But in reality, it was the opposite.
He couldn’t let even his most incompetent members be beaten to death by Regret.
“Now, what am I going to tell those idiots?”
Making up new excuses was a pain.
Should he just fabricate a story about the youngest Midas son confessing his love for her?
Those simpletons would probably buy it.
Chuckling at the imagined reactions of his members, Clark walked away in silence.
Although it wasn’t what he had expected, Regret’s path didn’t seem like it would be a lonely one.
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