“Ah, ojisan.”
When I looked back, the only one waiting there was Thanatos-chan, alone for some reason.
“Where’s Livia-chan?”
“She went home ahead because she hadn’t reserved the TV. Something about a special feature on endangered species?”
“Hmm?”
“And who is that person?”
She glanced briefly at Lambda. In response, Lambda tilted his head and then asked me in return.
“She’s not your daughter, given the age. So, is she your lover or something?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“That’s about right.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“But ojisan, wouldn’t you say that our relationship is already at the level of lovers, to the point where it can’t be described in just a few words?”
Thanatos-chan persisted for some reason.
“No, you,” I thought about admonishing her, but then I remembered that there was a potentially dangerous person next to me.
“…Let’s change the location for now.”
So, we entered a restaurant near “Marine Sky,” our original destination, and took our seats.
Thanatos-chan immediately ordered a cola, and then Lambda told the waiter, “This is part of my job,” and declined.
There were no other customers in the restaurant, which felt odd, but then I remembered that there had been no one around during the incident in the restroom either, so the theme park management must have done something.
“Well, that being said.”
I immediately asked Lambda.
“Why did you attack me?”
“It’s my job as staff to deal with any dangerous individuals that come in.”
He answered confidently.
“People from the organization known as ‘The Thirteen steps’ are well aware of you. You’re some kind of enigmatic danger.”
“I won’t ask if it’s okay for you to tell me that.”
After thinking for a bit, I asked something that was on my mind.
“Is it because I come from a knight’s family?”
“What’s a knight?”
From there, is it?
“I’m just a lowly underling, so I don’t know about that stuff. But I do know the name Lux Light, and that eliminating you would definitely yield a suitable reward.”
That might even get me promoted to an executive position, or perhaps even earn me a rank.
Lambda said.
I see, so I’m somewhat known among “The Thirteen steps,” almost like I’m on a wanted list?
But at the same time, I’m probably not a high priority.
After all, “The Thirteen steps” already controls most of Neon City, and if they wanted to deal with me, they could easily do so.
The reason they don’t is—
“Because ‘The Light King’ hasn’t given the order?”
Lambda reacted to my words.
“Do you know about ‘The Light King’?”
“…”
“Well, even I know about ‘The Light King,’ and anyone involved with ‘The Thirteen steps’ would. Even a lowly guy like me has received emails from him.”
“He’s light on his feet and friendly.”
“Like an ideal boss. Even if it’s just through email, he listens to my concerns and quickly provides accurate answers—right, Lux Light?”
Lambda showed a moment of hesitation before speaking.
“From what I’ve seen, you don’t seem like such a bad guy, right? So why not join ‘The Thirteen steps’ instead?”
It was an unexpected scout offer.
I was naturally silent.
“The pay is good, and the benefits are solid. Well, if you’re in the dark side like me, you’ll end up doing some shady work, but you seem pretty accustomed to that sort of thing, don’t you?”
“Sorry, but I’m not used to people dying.”
“I see… Then, I’ll ask for you to be placed in a more peaceful job. It’s better to have you as an ally than an enemy, and I think the higher-ups will make that judgment. Most requests go through, you know?”
“…”
After all.
This is something I’ve come to realize after living in this world for a while.
The evil organization “The Thirteen steps.”
They operate in the shadows, committing evil deeds, aiming to dominate this world.
Most of Neon City is already in their grasp.
But that also means that if you live in Neon City, you’re likely benefiting from the organization in some way.
This theme park is one of those benefits.
…Families, couples, young people who seem to have come alone.
Everyone was smiling.
The money spent here all goes into the organization’s coffers, but most people don’t know that.
It’s a cold truth, but even if inhumane acts like human experimentation are being conducted, most people are unaffected.
In fact, more people are living happily because of the organization.
A country cannot stand without its people.
…The organization may impose tyranny, but even if they keep people on a tight leash, they don’t squeeze them to death.
Considering the true identity of “The Light King,” it’s certain that they’re running the city more decently than most people.
The protagonist of this world.
He is oppressed, a victim, and undoubtedly a casualty of “The Thirteen steps.”
Those who have been oppressed gather together, form a group, and take up the sword so that no more such people will be born.
It’s wrong for someone to be consumed for someone else’s ambition.
…However, it’s also true that in this city, there are more people benefiting from the organization than there are victims.
The original story where the protagonist fights “The Thirteen steps.”
In that story, “The Light King” goes mad and causes many casualties.
Therefore, it makes sense for the protagonist to defeat “The Light King.”
The original story definitely ended on a happy note.
Many people were saved, wrongs were righted, and corruption was washed away and purified.
Evil disappeared, and good triumphed.
But that’s convenient storytelling, something that only works because it’s a story.
…I don’t know.
I can’t easily come up with an answer because the current “The Light King,” while bearing the title of “evil,” is generating benefits and supporting the lives of many people.
While continuously creating victims, he keeps people alive.
More victims will continue to emerge, and what will happen after “The Light King” completely dominates the world is unknown.
And I can’t make decisions that affect the lives of many people like “The Light King” can.
Just as I can’t simply say “yes, cut off the boss” because I’m suffering or because I dislike it.
I’m stuck in the middle, just a mob.
A character who doesn’t belong to any of the forces that appear in the story, just a slightly stronger human being.
Without the motivation to absolutely defeat evil, nor the ambition to join it.
I’m somewhat satisfied with the status quo.
That’s right.
A transmigrator who has nothing to do with the story.
“ojisan…?”
Thanatos-chan voiced her concern, and I replied “I’m fine” before turning back to Lambda.
“Sorry, but for now, I don’t intend to join any major organization, nor do I have any intention of being hostile. That’s all I can say.”
“…I’ll pass that on to the higher-ups. But even so, someone from above might still send an assassin after you.”
“I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”
“Alright.”
Lambda then reached into his pocket and handed something over to me.
It was a discount ticket.
“It’s a discount coupon. If you want to talk, just ask for staff member Lambda, and I think they’ll get the message.”
