Reborn Into A Dark Social Game World With Completely Loyal Friends. - Chapter 6: What are you doing, saying goodbye to France!?

What are you doing, saying goodbye to France!?

As someone who protects France, as the head of the Disciplinary Squad, and as someone who cares for the people, Mia cannot simply overlook suspicious individuals.

She had mentioned to Minato that he seemed like a kind person, and above all, she should have realized that Minato didn’t possess any combat abilities. However, for Mia, this confirmation was just part of her job.

“……”

“What’s wrong? Did you drop something or…?”

The suspicion was palpable. Thanatos, who was hiding by magic, suggested forcefully escaping, but Minato couldn’t agree to that.

In this situation, sacrificing trust to escape before being investigated might seem like a wise choice. However, Minato couldn’t bring himself to do it.

(……There’s no need to think in this situation. After all, it’s because of me that I’m here. Deceiving Mia or being suspected isn’t something I want to do.)

It might be just a matter of pride because Mia is Minato’s favorite.

But what’s more concerning is that Mia could recognize any small threat. With Mia’s formidable combat abilities, if she perceived someone as even slightly harmful, she wouldn’t forget their face or demeanor. In other words, if Minato were to meet Mia again when she’s forgotten about him, he might be killed instantly.

(In that case… There’s only one path for me to take.)

Believing in Mia’s kindness – that’s what Minato thought as he spoke up.

“Sorry, I don’t have an entry permit… I entered the country illegally.”

“…Well, that’s wise. But, Master, this is my mistake.”

Minato thought to himself, “What am I even saying?” It was all a hindsight. Seeing Mia’s trust was valuable, and not just seeing her, but being able to talk to her was also significant. Well, he didn’t plan on dying anyway.

“Huh, you’re just saying it so easily?”

“Well, probably. But, I thought it’d be pointless to lie because it would eventually be exposed… And, I didn’t want to lie to you. You said I seemed kind, and if I lied, it would betray your words.”

Mia looked surprised by Minato’s words.

Come to think of it, there was a similar conversation during a memorial event where they were building trust.

‘If you’re kind… then I can’t bring myself to do anything to you, nor do I want to. Because I don’t want to betray your kindness.’

‘Haha! Even if the Commander tried to do something to me, it’d be futile, right? So, you don’t have to worry about it! But… I’m happy when you say things like that. Thank you, Commander!’

There was no voice, but it was an event that Minato had revisited many times in his mind.

“Um… About that…”

Mia blushed deeply, but at that moment, a third party intervened.

“Mia-sama! I found you here!”

“…Akira-kun?”

Appearing was a handsome blonde young man.

The boy called Akira showed Mia a dazzling smile, but he cast a somewhat suspicious glance towards Minato, who was standing nearby.

(There he is, the immortal Akira!)

However, Minato, who was being looked at with such a gaze, felt excited inwardly.

Because this boy named Akira was also a playable character, a typical annoying character who adored Mia, and despite facing near-death situations repeatedly, he always survived in a comedic fashion. That’s how he earned the nickname “Immortal Akira.”

He was a troublesome boy who repeatedly pestered about matters concerning Mia, but eventually, he became a beloved character. Many fans secretly appreciated his presence as he had a way of lightening the mood, even in dark times.

“Mia-sama, the investigation in this sector is complete. We’ve confirmed about ten illegal immigrants here.”

“Ten… Hmm, I’m not sure if that’s more or less than I expected.”

“Yes… But should we guide them? And… could he also be an illegal immigrant?”

Once again, Akira’s sharp gaze pierced Minato.

As Minato was about to nod in agreement, surprisingly, Mia shook her head to deny it.

“He had a valid entry permit. I confirmed it with my own eyes. So, please don’t look at travelers with such eyes.”

“I-I’m sorry!!”

“Um…?”

Minato wondered what he should do. Thanatos also directed a suggestive gaze towards Mia. Furthermore, Mia continued.

“Akira-kun, please head to the next sector. I’ll continue the investigation around here for a little longer.”

“What about him?”

“I’ll escort him. Is there anything else?”

“No, nothing! I’ll complete my mission!”

With a smile that seemed to exert pressure, Akira ran off, his face turning pale.

His speed was extraordinary, undoubtedly swift enough to shake off Mia.

Watching Akira disappear in an instant, Minato quickly returned his gaze to Mia and asked.

“Why… Why that lie?”

“Huh? What are you talking about? I told the truth.”

Saying that, Mia took something out of her pocket.

It was a card coated to prevent easy tearing… Wait, this is!

Minato widened his eyes in surprise, looking at Mia. She chuckled and handed it over.

“I like honest people. So, think of this as a kind of thank you.”

“No… Isn’t this way too advantageous for me to receive?”

“Hmm, I still want you to have it. I don’t know why exactly, but maybe because you remind me of someone.”

“Someone?”

At this point, saying it would hinder her work, Mia ran off.

She looked back and waved several times, so Minato looked back several times too. Of course, the people of France would see him and wonder who he was, but Minato didn’t have an answer to give them.

“…I received it.”

“If you have that, you can practically enter France freely, right?”

“Yeah.”

And there, in his hand, was a legitimate entry permit.

Mia’s figure was no longer visible, and Minato carefully pocketed it and began to walk.

“Hey, master.”

“Yeah?”

“Could it be… that Mia is actually same like me, after all?”

“That’s…”

That is to say, Mia, like Thanatos, may be a memory holder.

Certainly, Mia’s behavior was puzzling.

Lives that were supposed to be lost due to actions that deviated from the norm were saved, and hidden criminals in Leirinia were also being sought… This was a significant change in some sense.

(Although this world is undoubtedly that of Dakurezo, perhaps not everything is exactly the same?)

Living beings here are not just programmed entities, but rather, they think and even small things can bring about change… Minato already knows about the significant change represented by Thanatos.

“If that’s the case, I wonder if I’m happy… I have a few things to sort out, and I haven’t quite processed them yet… But there’s one arrogant thought I’ve had. Can I ask you about it after we return?”

“Of course.”

As they were about to leave the darkness, the mother and child appeared from the direction of the house.

The girl happily held hands with her mother, who lovingly gazed at her daughter. There was a clear sense of familial happiness… Such scenes were quite natural in the world Minato originally inhabited, depending on the family environment.

But being able to see this in this world… was more joyful than anything else, and it turned a certain feeling in Minato’s heart into determination.

(I don’t like bad endings or sad things… But it’s also true that I like stories that emerge from them. But still, a world overflowing with smiles… where there is no sadness, is definitely better.)

He would talk about this after returning… so Minato decided to do some light shopping.

As expected in France, there was a wide variety of books.

To quickly acclimate to this world, he bought cookbooks, books about ingredients, and even books about architecture, though he wasn’t sure if he could understand them. Then, just before noon, he headed back to Nevalle Castle.

“Well, shall we head back?”

“Yes, let’s return to the darkness.”

Entering the darkness and using the shadows to return… Minato looked at the bustling Leirinia and then at the tower where Mia and the others from the Guidance Squad resided.

“Goodbye, Mia… Thank you for believing in me. I’m really glad I met you today. I may not be able to be your commander, but I know there is a commander here who can save the world properly.”

Thanatos lowered her eyes as she listened to Minato’s words, feeling somewhat forlorn. But then, they both noticed something approaching at incredible speed.

“W-What’s that!?”

“Something’s running towards us!?”

Minato thought it was some kind of commotion, but he didn’t want to get involved in anything further, so he quickly retreated into the darkness.

As Minato’s body began to sink into the shadows thanks to Thanatos’s magic, she… Mia appeared with bloodshot eyes.

“Commander!”

“…Huh?”

Like a missile, Mia plunged into Minato’s chest.

Feeling like everything in his stomach was about to come out from the impact, Minato found himself lying on his back, looking up at the sky.

Upon returning to Nevalis Castle, Thanatos returned to her original size, and Minato suddenly became aware of the weight on his chest.

“…Mia?”

“Commander… Commander Commander Commander Commander!”

Yes… Mia had tagged along.