Historia decided to remain in the military nation. Her body had taken a lot of damage from consecutive battles, and she needed time to refine the new insights she had gained… at least, that was the surface-level reason. The main reason, however, was to protect the military nation and its “secrets.” If the secrets buried beneath the communications headquarters weren’t protected, the military nation could crumble all too easily.

“Ugh. I don’t really care what happens to the military nation, but… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to leave an ally here,” muttered the Regressor with a hint of reluctance as he handed Historia a bundle of World Tree leaves.

“Here, World Tree leaves. They’re valuable, so don’t burn them up like magic herbs.”

As she accepted the leaves, Historia murmured to herself, “…You’re not very honest, are you, sweetheart?”

“I didn’t give those for you to use! They’re for Nabi!”

“The Cat King? Magic herbs?”

The Regressor folded his arms and replied, “Yeah. Now that Maximilien is gone, and the Cat Beast General is out of the picture, there’s no one left to mess with Nabi. But leaving them unchecked still makes me uneasy. Beasts with ambiguous wild natures who get along strangely well with humans, like cats, are easy to exploit… So, if possible…”

He was rambling on unnecessarily. He could have kept it simple. To help the hesitant Regressor be a bit more straightforward, I summarized his intentions.

“He wants you to watch over Nabi. He trusts you, and Nabi could be useful, so he’d like it if you looked after him. The magic herbs are a way to control Nabi, and it’s fine if you use them as well… or so he says.”

A flawless summary. Historia nodded in agreement.

“…How cute.”

“I’m not sure about cute, but he’s definitely not straightforward.”

“What nonsense! I’ve never been anything but honest!”

His reaction was amusing. How about taking off that disguise if you’re so honest? How long are you going to keep dressing like a man? I get it, though. Claiming to know the future would get him suspected of being a saint, and hiding his origins could also be beneficial. It’s reasonable.

But honestly, he isn’t that straightforward. It’s so easy for me to see through his contradictions with just a little probing. Let me point out his hypocrisy.

“Perfect timing. I have something I’ve been wanting to ask but held back because once it’s out, there’s no turning back. If you’re so honest, then tell me—what should I do?”

“What about you?”

“As you know, I’m just a weak human whose only skill is talking. I managed to overcome obstacles here in the military nation because of my connection with Historia and because it’s where I grew up. But in other countries, that wouldn’t be possible. Especially in a place like the Alchemical Nations, where strength is everything.”

“Why are you beating around the bush?”

Because you just did the same thing, you know? I was going to give you a dose of mirror therapy, but I didn’t expect you to fail the mirror test. So, once again, I kindly explained.

“I’m just a hollow shell with nothing left to take. Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed here where I belong?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if it wouldn’t be better for you if I didn’t come along.”

Feigning self-doubt, I subtly hinted at my usefulness, hoping for some acknowledgment of my value.

Of course, I could dig in my heels and refuse to follow unless he begged me on his knees… but that might actually make the Regressor, with his rebellious nature, go off on his own. That wouldn’t be helpful for me now or in the next loop, so that’s off the table.

This is the best approach for now. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” When the Regressor considers my absence, he might start to feel the weight of it.

“Logically, that’s true. In terms of pure combat power… he has a few tricks, but if you ignore him, he might just die on the spot. He’s not exactly reliable.”

Hey, that’s not quite what I was getting at.

“But in other aspects, it’s different. Negotiation, persuasion, exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses… he’s pretty skilled at that. Ironically, it’s exactly where I’m lacking. I can’t just let him go.”

Finally, he’s realized it. He’s acknowledged my importance. Now, come on, admit it honestly.

“Hm. Well, I might feel a little uneasy, but it’s fine if you come along. We have enough people for the heavy lifting anyway.”

“So, you’re saying I’d just be a burden, right? How could I proudly claim to be part of a hero’s party… as nothing more than a baggage carrier? Actually, not even that—a burden.”

“No, no! Every burden has its own kind of value!”

“But a burden is still a burden. It would be better for me to stay behind.”

As I dragged out my words, the Regressor frantically waved his hands.

“N-no! Strength isn’t everything! There’s still… sentiment!”

“Sentiment? Do you really think that matters when saving the world?”

“N-not just me! There’s also Azi, who’s fond of you, and Tirkanjaka! Motivation is important!”

“On the contrary, it could make me a hostage. That’s another reason for me to stay.”

“I’ll protect you so that doesn’t happen! Sure, it might be a bit bothersome, but I’ll manage!”

“We’re back to square one. If it’s that bothersome, isn’t it better if I don’t come along?”

“Ah!”

Does he even understand the concept of self-contradiction? He keeps arguing against his own points. Watching the flustered Regressor, Historia murmured with a hint of amusement.

“How cute. Not exactly honest, but honest in a way. I can see why you like him, Hui.”

Like him? More like, he’s fun to tease. There’s a big difference between that and actually liking someone.

All he needs to do is admit that he needs my skills, but the Regressor still can’t bring himself to be straightforward, stumbling over his words. I waited patiently for his response.

Alright. My logic is flawless. Just acknowledge my abilities and beg me to come along. After all, I’m coming anyway, but it’d be nicer if he requested it properly.

“His strength is lacking. But he’s useful. Taking him along is the right choice. In that case… huh?”

Finally realizing a way out, the Regressor clapped his hands together and spoke confidently.

“I’ll make you stronger!”

“…What?”

What’s this all of a sudden? This is the point where you’re supposed to acknowledge my value and ask me to come along. But instead, what’s with this strange response?

“I know exactly what kind of training it takes to make a weak person strong. I went through it myself. You can do it too! You may be past your growth phase, but you’re not that old. And considering you ranked at the top, you must be smart!”

No, you’re actually younger than me. Just because you’ve regressed doesn’t mean you’re older!

“Then I’ll just train you whenever I have time! If you’re lacking in strength, then the solution is to gain strength!”

“As if that helps. That’s even more of a hassle.”

“Don’t worry! It’s an investment!”

“And besides, if I refine my training methods now, I might get even stronger in the next loop! It might even lead to a fateful encounter stronger than Tirkanjaka’s! Removing two seeds of disaster and gaining a link to the General!”

This is bad. His conclusion is veering off in a bizarre direction.

If I say I can’t come because I’m too weak, a normal response would be to list my strengths and reassure me. That’s what a socially adept person would do.

But he says that if I lack strength, he’ll give me strength? What is he, a demon?

“Haha. That’s nonsense. There’s no way I’d suddenly awaken by training here…”

“…Not necessarily. That might work. Hui, you actually have potential.”

“Lia, what are you talking about now?”

Historia looked far more intrigued than she had when I was teasing the Regressor.

“It’s a good idea. No, it’s essential. It’s exactly what Hui needs most.”

Wait! That’s not how I get stronger. Haven’t you heard the story about the King of Humanity losing all his power?

Because it’s true! It’s not that I’m weak because I don’t know how to get stronger. No matter what I do, I’ll only end up average. And this isn’t even a world where strength alone ensures survival!

“Let’s see. For the training regimen? Starting with basic strength exercises to build endurance would be best. Then gradually increase the load to monitor his physical responses.”

Nope. This isn’t good. Historia is on board with the Regressor’s plan. If I stay here any longer, they’ll end up with a training schedule designed to kill me. Desperate for an escape, I scanned the surroundings.

There! A large, enclosed automatic carriage rolled down the road ahead. It was the vehicle Hilde and Tirkanjaka had been sent to retrieve based on the communications officer’s message.

Bathed in the midday sun, the bright light illuminated everything without casting shadows, yet the light fractured against the armored carriage. Covered in thick plating, the carriage would protect its occupants from all sorts of threats, as well as from the sun. While it wasn’t necessarily designed with vampires in mind, it had precisely the features we needed.

Someone poked their head out from the cover of the carriage. It was Hilde, waving her arms enthusiastically as she shouted.

“Father! The command vehicle Cataphract is here! Everything’s ready! Just get in, and we’ll be off!”

Perfect timing. You’re a lifesaver.

“Everyone! We’re all set! Let’s head out before it’s too late!”

“…100 repetitions. Alternating sprints in between. Forced elixir intake…”

“Let’s go!”

I covered his mouth before he could say any more terrifying words, then hurriedly ran toward the Cataphract. The Regressor finally began to move as well.

The rear of the Cataphract rattled open, creating a slanted ramp for loading and unloading. I climbed aboard, shouting as I went.

“Goodbye, Lia! I’m off!”

…Leaving again.

Historia, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease as I departed, was held back by memories of the past. The trauma of retrieving her dead friends’ bodies from the Hameln incident served as both a shackle and a catalyst for her new goals. Even though it was a choice she made, it was still a painful scar.

Historia instinctively reached out to stop me but ultimately held back.

“But it’s different this time. Hui is properly saying goodbye to me. And… he’ll probably come back.”

Her indecision resolved, Historia raised her hand, awkwardly waving goodbye. It was clearly an unintentional gesture, clumsy yet sincere.

“Return stronger.”

“I can’t get any stronger than this!”

There she goes, wishing for my strength again. Would she even be able to handle me if I actually became stronger? If I do gain power, I’ll make sure she experiences a “massage” as a form of torture. She should know that massages can be painful depending on who gives them.

…Not that any training I do could make me capable of hurting Historia. It’s laughable. This is exactly why I don’t bother with training.

And so, leaving behind secrets and friends alike, I departed from the military nation.