Reborn Into A Dark Social Game World With Completely Loyal Friends. - Chapter 4: Meeting the Commander, and then—

Meeting the Commander, and then—

“Let’s go then, Master.”

“Alright, taxi!”

Using Thanatos’s power, we moved from shadow to shadow.

Though previously, she had carried me on her back, it was an amazing experience to move through the shadows themselves.

However, as soon as our vision seemed to darken for a moment, the movement was already over, leaving no time to check out what the inside of the shadows was like.

“Where is this…?”

Upon arrival, it was a place too familiar for Minato.

“…It’s Leirinia.”

“Yes, the city of Leirinia, the heart of France.”

Leirinia— the heart of France and the birthplace of Mia, Minato’s favorite, and the place where she met his commander.

Though it’s been said several times, Minato has no intention of interfering with the original work—not to prevent changes in the flow of the original work, but simply because he lacks the courage to face the cruelty he would encounter if he did.

“At this time, France is still at peace. Therefore, since you have come to our world, it would be wise to enjoy sightseeing— for the sake of our protection.”

“I want you to feel at ease knowing that I will protect you without fail…” With these words, and even with the mightiest dragon perched on his shoulder, Minato felt it.

This world is harsh… but it’s also the world I loved.

That’s why, despite everything, Minato sensed Thanatos’ wish: to enjoy the parts worth cherishing, remembering the love, without hating it all. 

“Seriously, how kind you are, Tana-chan.”

“For now, it’s just me. I love you, and you must also cherish me in return.”

Minato chuckled at Thanatos’s proud statement, and once again turned his attention to the scenery in front of him.

Since the original work hadn’t started yet, the scenery of Leirinia was truly peaceful.

The people’s attire was almost the same as what Minato had seen in the game, and the cityscape also had a bit of a déjà vu feeling.

“Mia is here… Even from a distance, I feel like I want to see the real thing.”

“As the pride of France, the top of the Instruction Corps, she won’t go outside unless it’s for a mission.”

France boasts a powerful force called the Disciplinary Corp, similar to the military. Mia’s position is higher than that of the leaders of each unit, and she can command the first to fifth units.

However, Minato remembers that Mia has a personality that doesn’t suit sitting still—she often goes outside for a walk, causing trouble for her subordinates, even if nothing is happening.

“Huh?”

“That is…”

As I hadn’t yet grasped the chronological sequence precisely, I spotted a surprising sight as we arrived.

It was a group of people walking towards us.

At the front was a man dressed in a commander’s coat—there was no mistaking it, he was the commander of this world.

“Commander, what are we going to do now?”

“We’re heading to the kingdom… to respond to their request for cooperation.”

“The kingdom, huh? I remember something significant happening there a few days ago.”

Minato was in a daze, but they didn’t pay any attention to him.

While they were dressed in modern suits, compared to flashy fashion, Minato, who had no power and was just an ordinary person, was not even worth noticing, apparently.

(Commander… Le and Aesir, huh?)

The pair of a man and a woman flanking the commander are characters Minato met during the tutorial.

While Minato does have some affection for them as they’ve been involved in the story, it’s not too significant.

However, seeing playable characters with his own eyes like this filled Minato with a certain kind of emotion.

“It seems like my form is still invisible due to the magic, but from their conversation, it sounds like the story will begin in a few days.”

“Yeah.”

“Master, I understand how you feel, but don’t space out.”

“Ahhh, sorry.”

Minato realized he had been standing in the middle of the road, blocking the way, lost in thought about the departing commander.

But there was a reason he was staring like this.

As Thanatos had mentioned, their journey towards the kingdom meant that the story was about to unfold. And perhaps there would be an event where Minato would witness Mia—even though it shouldn’t have been mentioned at the beginning of the story, Minato knew that an event would occur that would reveal how cruel this world could be.

“…There it is.”

“Huh?”

A small girl bumped into the commander.

He helped her up, talked to her for a moment, and then took out a gem from his pocket and handed it to her.

“That girl’s mother is sick and they don’t have money to buy medicine. Upon hearing that, the commander said they should pawn this gem at the pawn shop.”

“I see… but he’s being reckless.”

“Did you notice, Tana-chan?”

Minato reiterated—this world is ending in many ways.

If such a young girl were seen with a gem, she would undoubtedly become a target for the unsavory adults lurking in the shadows.

While Leirinia may be a livable place, cruelty lurks everywhere.

“The commander won’t know until later, but shortly after that, the girl will be dragged into the darkness by several adults before reaching the pawn shop… Before anyone can question what’s happening, she’ll be cut down and her body will become food for monsters. The girl’s mother will think it’s strange that her daughter hasn’t returned, but as she goes to fetch her, her illness worsens and she…”

“…”

“…The commander… I mentioned earlier that find out a little later, but the event will be depicted from the girl’s perspective. Just a simple act of kindness led to the worst tragedy for that girl.”

However, in a sense, it was convenient to come to Leirinia like this.

Fortunately, the girl’s existence shouldn’t affect the story, and above all, if Minato didn’t do anything here, he wouldn’t feel right himself.

“Tana-chan.”

“You can leave it to me. I am your sword and shield—your heart’s sorrow is being conveyed firmly. Perhaps I, too, can’t just stand still after hearing such a story.“

“…Thanks, Tana-chan.”

Minato had decided what to do… So, Thanatos would take care of the men who would likely attack that girl with ease, as their intentions were too obvious, even prompting a wry smile from Thanatos.

“Master, this is unexpected for me as well… but it seems there may be no need for me to intervene after all…”

“What?”

As Minato tilted his head in confusion, at that moment, just as the girl was about to pass by the shadows, several men who had been lurking there suddenly jumped out. However, they were not attacking the girl as expected, but seemed to be repelled by something, flying away.

“What’s going on?”

“What…?”

Minato, too, showed his surprise without standing out from the crowd. Only Thanatos, perched on his shoulder, remained calm… until a completely out-of-place voice echoed from the shadows.

“Really, it’s disgusting how grown men would try to attack a young girl, isn’t it?”

That voice made Minato’s heart skip a beat. The owner of the voice, a young girl with an aura of dignity, appeared, her beautiful silver hair swaying as she spoke—a girl who wore a modified dress for ease of movement, none other than Mia.

“Mia-sama!?”

“Why are you here…?”

“No, more importantly… could it be that those guys were—”

With the appearance of Mia, considered a hero of France, the surroundings immediately became noisy, filled with cheers. The members of the instructional team who appeared after Mia quickly apprehended the men, and the unfortunate future for the girl was averted. However, Minato was still deeply perplexed.

(Why is Mia here…?)

This was truly a break from the original story, and Minato was witnessing it all firsthand.