Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 316



Only Krnovel

The Regressor’s Notepad 316

Usurpation (2)

“… … Lord Jedrick. Are you alright?”

Interview room. Jedrick’s balancer, ‘Smith’, asked his lord.

There was also food on the table, but Jedrick only took a few bites. The difference in quality between it and Sion Ascal was too great.

“What do you mean, is it okay?”

“About the industry’s share… … .”

Jedrick left his stake to Zia. The legal team’s opinion was not much different. He had to attend the board meeting without knowing what would be said.

“I’m worried that Miss Jia will not do as we wish.”

But Smith was suspicious of Zia. More specifically, he had a hard time trusting the snake-like being known as Zion Askar who served Zia.

Jedrick frowned.

“Then who should we send to the board of directors?”

He asked back with a prickly tone.

“Should I leave it to Jade? Or to Jahanna?”

He has been locked up in the detention center for a long time and is becoming hysterical. He is not satisfied with anything, and the food that Balancer brought is not good, and his mental strength and endurance are slowly wearing away.

“… … Or, would you like to take on that share?”

Suspicion grew in Jedrick’s eyes.

The most difficult thing for him to do now was trust.

“no.”

Smith bowed his head.

Tsk. Jedrick clicked his tongue.

“How’s things going? Are the balancers moving?”

Jedrick’s balancers have so far been excluded from AI work.

Jedrick was busy managing the many different businesses he was involved in, so he was unable to respond quickly to his own personal danger.

“The legal team is doing their best to prepare for the trial, but… … it seems like bail will be a bit difficult.”

This is a case that has caught the attention of the entire continent. Since there are thousands of victims and the case is handled directly by the Holy Knight Teia, not only the judge but even the council will not grant bail.

Jedrick’s face distorted.

“… … You’re so incompetent.”

He attributed the practical impossibility to the incompetence of his agents. Gradually, rational judgment became burdensome.

“Jahanna and Jade will be laughing.”

Jedrick snickered. Smith quickly answered.

“No, Jade and Jahanna are also worried about helping-”

“Are you defending those guys now?”

“……sorry.”

It wasn’t easy to read Jedrick, who was experiencing extreme mood swings.

Jedrick also glared at Smith with a discontented look and waved his hand.

“good.”

As of now, the only person I can communicate with is ‘that guy’.

“……yes.”

“Let’s take care of Bern.”

“Yes, I have definitely prepared it.”

“… … I can no longer believe the ‘certainty’ you say.”

Jedrick sat up with a grin.

Smith watched him return to the detention center with bitterness.

* * *

The most luxurious apartment in the capital city of Edsilla. I gave Zia the certificate of shares of Jedrick Industries.

“Wow… … .”

Gia blinked her wide eyes.

“You really got it… … .”

Then he looks at the certificate in silence for a moment. Is it because he is moved, or is it because of emotion? He remains silent as if he is thinking about something, and then he looks back at me.

“Zion… …you’ve had a hard time.”

Perhaps the best compliment she could give.

“thank you.”

“… … Industry, I wanted it since I was little.”

I laughed a little at the way she talked about the company as if it were some kind of toy.

“But I am worried.”

“what……?”

“Because the situation is what it is.”

“If it’s an AI problem… … it’s okay.”

Zia stood by the window. I quietly watched her slender back as she gazed at the view of Edsilla.

“There are many patents in the industry. The research facilities and resources are also enormous. It is a company that my father worked hard to build… … . It will not collapse just because one business fails. It should not collapse either… … .”

Jia’s tone was slightly reminiscent.

I was curious about how she felt.

“miss.”

“……huh?”

“Are you okay?”

Gia looked at me reflected in the window.

“……what?”

“Usurpation, that is.”

Zia is Libra’s direct descendant. Therefore, Jedrick is clearly her older brother. Even though they were born from different wombs, they are still family by blood.

“Is Zion okay?”

She asked me back instead.

“Did you happen to feel sorry for your brother?”

Her question, which at first glance seems innocent,

I shook my head.

“I’m just worried about the young lady’s feelings.”

“My feelings… … .”

“yes.”

I took a step closer to Gia.

“There are things you have to give up to gain something. It’s not good for your mental health to tear down those close to you.”

Then she smiled faintly.

“Jedric Oraboni… … bleached human souls to create artificial intelligence… … .”

It was a clear crime against humanity. I cooperated as Killian.

Rather than putting a stop to their evil deeds early, they waited for the process to proceed in order to obtain more definitive evidence.

“Is my brother blinded by money?”

Jia tilted her head.

“Why? Am I blinded by money?”

It’s something I still don’t understand.

“For whatever reason, your brother’s crime has been discovered… … .”

It is said that what is wrong is not ‘committing’ a crime, but ‘being caught’ in it.

“For whatever reason, if I want to become the successor, I have to take everything from my brother.”

Gia looked back at me.

“Willingly, I must.”

Her words were full of conviction.

“yes.”

To her, what I have to say is simple.

“I will follow.”

Jia smiled bashfully.

“Zion.”

I faced her as she looked at me. There was a distance of three paces between us.

The ‘line’ is still clearly drawn.

“I’m glad Zion is by my side.”

Gia smiled brightly.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of change.

One person’s slight smile, just a faint expression, makes me feel like the world I stand in has changed.

Before I returned, I looked at her from too far away. I was lying on the ground, not even daring to raise my head.

Zia was at the top of the continent, and there were countless people by her side. Each and every one of them was someone who would make history on the continent.

But now, I am right next to her.

I am creating her.

“… … What does Zion think?”

The answer to that question was already decided.

“I am…….”

One last chance, obtained by turning back time.

“I consider you my calling.”

This is the duty that heaven has given me.

* * *

Cafe Balance.

Despite the AI ​​crisis in the Libra family, I am still facing Sierin with Solliet in the upscale Jade cafe, which is still crowded with people.

“… … If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Sierin crossed her arms in discontent.

“Oh. It’s nothing else.”

The reason I called her over on the weekend was─

“Do you by any chance feel a different frequency here?”

Because Akane (the doll) and Akane (the real one) are hiding in this coffee shop.

“Different frequency?”

“Yes. It’s a frequency that doesn’t seem human.”

“… … Hmm.”

Then Sierin closed her eyes.

She shook her shoulders as if activating “Spectrum,” but soon shook her head.

“… … No. There isn’t any?”

“Oh. Really?”

Likewise, she can’t tell Akane’s dolls apart either.

Akane’s doll shares the ‘soul’ of the human named Akane, so it emits the same soul frequency.

It’s a bit of a shame. It seems like there’s still no way for Akane to remain Akane even after I leave.

“What… Akane-san?”

I called out to Akane, who was watching from somewhere. She suddenly appeared and sat down at our table.

Sierin flinched.

“who……?”

“Ms. Sierin, listen carefully.”

I focused on her.

Now it’s time to get serious.

“This is an extremely dangerous secret.”

Cafe Balance is the safest place. Only here can you avoid the risk of being eavesdropped on or monitored.

That’s the effect it has on artwork used as interior decoration. It satisfies the needs of the camera-sensitive aristocrats.

“Would you believe that there are artificial humans in this world?”

“… … What?”

Of course, Sierin had a look of bewilderment on her face.

“Are you talking about the artificial intelligence that’s causing a fuss this time?”

“No. It’s different.”

This time it was Solliet’s answer. She looked at Sierin with very serious eyes.

“Exactly, it means an artificially created human being.”

“… … Could it be this guy?”

Shierin pointed at Akane.

“He does look like an android.”

Akane frowned.

“You are a cheapskate.”

“What, what? You piece of shit? Hey, who are you?”

“fizzle.”

I put my hand on my mouth.

“Anyway, artificial human… … Ms. Sierin will definitely be able to distinguish the wavelength of a homunculus. The arrangement of the soul will definitely be different from that of a human.”

“… …Who is that?”

“I don’t know yet.”

I said confidently. Sierin distorted her arrogance.

“What?”

“That’s why I’m asking for your help. I know it’s going to be very dangerous.”

“What the heck… … .”

She looked like she was going to snap at him, but then remembered something and pouted her lips in a refreshing way.

“……then.”

Knock, knock, knock. She said, tapping the table.

“Astrologist… … Will you let me meet you one more time?”

* * *

“I didn’t know you were that puppeteer Akane.”

Inside a pitch-black SUV. Shierin, who had cooperated in the operation in exchange for a one-time astrologer ticket, glanced at Akane.

Akane accepted it calmly.

“Just focus on your work.”

“… … Huh. You’re as arrogant as I’ve heard.”

“Just focus on your work. Don’t act like a brat.”

“… … There has to be something to do!”

Shierin glared at Akane.

As you said, it’s pretty quiet these days.

We are hiding near the main gate of the detention center. We have parked our car and are waiting inside for ‘someone’.

Of course, with the face mask turned inside out.

Sierin can sense frequencies from a distance.

“Ms. Sierin. Here are a few more.”

I called Sierin.

At the detention center gate, several Libra-related people can be seen getting out of the car. They appear to be from the legal team.

“……okay.”

She felt the waves as she glared at them.

“No problem. No, is there a problem? Can you find the homunculus like this?”

“Homunculus.”

“Anything.”

“Well, it might take a long time, but I’ll keep waiting like this.”

“What?! Do you think I have time to spare?!”

“The astrologer doesn’t have much time on his hands. Have you heard the rumor that he saved the Glowfeld family?”

“… … .”

Sierin kept her mouth shut.

Anyway, if artificial human homunculi actually exist, they would definitely be among the main characters in Libra.

I and Soliet are both convinced of the same thing.

“… … Then give me two tickets.”

Sierin tugged at my sleeve.

“Why do you have so many questions?”

“I’ll use one for showing off. In social circles.”

What else is there to brag about?

Although I was taken aback, I nodded as if I understood.

“If it takes a long time, I’ll give it to you.”

“Ms. Sierin. It might take a while, so let’s eat first.”

Before I knew it, Solliet had opened her lunch box. Akane also picked one up.

Sierin pecked her lips.

“I don’t eat packed lunches.”

“Yes? It’s really delicious.”

Solliet’s eyes widened as she stirred her chopsticks. Sierin shook her head with the expression of a true noble.

“… … It would probably be delicious by your or Akane-san’s standards. I have a luxurious palate~”

Akane said.

“There is definitely no such thing as cheapskate.”

“… … Excuse me. Could you stop talking nonsense?”

──Three weeks passed like that.

There was no such coincidence that we figured out their identities on the first day. We regularly stood guard in front of the detention center for three weeks.

Balancer, members of Congress, CEOs of various companies, and even Jade came to visit, but there was no result at all.

“… …Hey. Zion.”

The evening hours when the sun has set.

Sierin from the backseat called me.

“Do you have one more lunch box~?”

She was holding the wooden chopsticks tightly, and there was rice paste on her cheek. It was a completely different attitude from the first day.

“They say that taste is luxurious.”

Akane tackled her. Shierin glared at her.

“… … I’m doing this because I’m hungry after using up a lot of spectrum. Who would want to do this… … I really wonder how long I’ll have to keep doing this… … .”

Even though he hesitates like that, he still looks at me with his eyes and asks.

Do you have one more lunch box?

“I’ll give it to you when I go.”

“… … Huh~ Whether you give it or not~”

A pleasant snort was heard.

“I won’t give it to you.”

“I’ll take it. Thanks~”

Sierin sat down on the chair with satisfaction.

“Haaaaaam~”

Yawns are heard here and there. Soliet’s, me, Akane’s.

I’m a little relaxed since nothing happened for two weeks.

“… … Huaam.”

I scanned the hotline for the Bellmore team on my Libraphone.

There doesn’t seem to be anything special going on. It seems like it’s time to start dealing with Gedler now.

That was when.

“……for a moment.”

Suddenly, Sierin looked out the window. Her expression hardened.

“why?”

I also quickly corrected my posture.

“That guy… … How did he do that?”

Sierin muttered as if she was shocked. Even her temples were covered in cold sweat.

“Why are you doing that?”

Soliet asked seriously, and Akane frowned.

“That guy, that guy… …they’re on a different wavelength. Zion, just like you said.”

“Which one of you is that?”

Sierin’s hair stood on end as she pointed somewhere.

I looked in the direction her fingers touched.

There is… … .