There was a significant difference between entering through an artificial intelligence system and entering directly without it.
Daria and Cyrus controlled the ga through the trendous thod of combining an artificial intelligence system developed in the early days of virtual reality gas with the spaceti machine. Needless to say, to realize this technology, they had ground up an enormous number of magical engineers from this world.
Thus, they created a battlefield where absolute superiority was guaranteed, a battlefield that was rely a ga.
However, all of this had not yet been accomplished here. Daria had a body that could die when facing a strong opponent, just like the people of this world whom she regarded as insignificant as insects. Until now, she would have believed in her own strength, but from now on, she couldn't.
'Then she has no choice but to be careful.'
Esperanza nodded while puffing air into her mouth, then suddenly asked.
"Wait. What about our system?"
It was a question that omitted everything, but Cyrus understood imdiately.
Their system was still operational. The status window glimring at the edge of their vision was proof of that. Though they sotis forgot it even existed. The inventory was the sa.
She couldn't understand what principle it operated on. If there's a system, why do we really die? Why can't we use certain functions?
"So......."
The explanation was difficult. When Cyrus trailed off, Cider raised his eyebrows. Suspicion arose that he might be trying to embellish his words. His fingertips tapped the table, counting seconds.
"I'm not specialized in this field. Actually, I don't know the details well either. Unless I could et Dr. Sullivan. If I explain only what I know."
Cyrus scratched his head and spoke awkwardly.
"You could say it's the difference between online and offline."
"Ah."
It wasn't Esperanza who exclaid. Esperanza turned her head sharply.
"Why are you understanding this?"
"It doesn't seem like sothing you can't understand without background knowledge. It's intuitive."
The two shook their heads as if fed up. Cider smiled broadly.
"Esperanza. Did you understand?"
"Ah, I did. I did."
Roughly, though. This much should count as understanding. So it seed to an that if she returned to the ga world 13 years later through the spaceti machine, she would probably be reconnected to the system, and then it would be possible to exit directly from the ga.
"Then what I can use now is about the level of minesweeper......."
Inventory, dungeon notification windows, combat mode and several information windows, maps. Compared to the functions available in the ga, it was pitifully ager.
But she had done well with those ager functions so far. And the opponent didn't even have this much.
When Esperanza finished her thoughts and nodded, Cider pushed away his completely cold coffee cup. He had taken one sip and hadn't touched it since.
"Let's wait and see how they co out. Anyway, if the spaceti machine isn't completed, it's useless even if we find Daria."
"Daria can't move until the end of the year. It's a problem in our world. That much hasn't changed."
Cyrus asserted with a bitter voice.
Less than a month remained until the end of the year. So to properly confirm Daria's movents, they would need about two months. Esperanza, who had been calculating the ti, nodded.
On the carriage ride back to the mansion after parting with Cyrus, Cider brought up sothing unexpected.
"If there's no particular reason to return, it might be fine to stay in Sterling until the end of the year."
"Sterling? Why?"
There was no reason for that. The harbor was in ruins, and the city was more chaotic than ever. There was nothing to be gained here either.
"We might obtain good magic stones from Duke Dunbarton's mines, and the best refiner is also in Sterling, so there's no reason to search far away. And......."
"And?"
"There's an opening ceremony in December."
Does he not want to attend Parliant? Is he going to brazenly declare playing hooky like this? When Esperanza lost her words and just gaped, Cider rested his chin and smiled leisurely.
"There's no reason to waste ti on such useless things. Right? I happen to be a patient."
"You're perfectly fine."
Thanks to the potion, he should be no different from before getting injured, yet he talks about being a patient—it's not even funny. Esperanza also hoped Cider would postpone that damn research and rest for a while, but this was a different matter.
"Only I know that. You're on my side."
Her mouth itched wanting to say no. Esperanza moved her lips several tis, then exhaled deeply.
"......That's right."
Unfortunately, fact was fact. It was better than getting hurt. When the reluctant acknowledgnt fell, Cider smiled while tucking Esperanza's hair behind her ear. Triumphantly.
Esperanza didn't need to know all the reasons.
All these plans were decided without the approval of the mansion's owner, Earl Sterling. But Alastair Renfrew was in a state where he very, very much needed them, so there was no need to worry about not getting permission.
At least that's what he thought until he heard that voice.
"What exactly do you take
for?"
A voice bristling with thorns burst out without regard for dignity. It was loud enough to be heard clearly even through the thick door. Esperanza, who was about to enter the reception room, stopped. It seed like she shouldn't go in right now.
Cider, who had been following a couple steps behind, said.
"That's Lady Cordelia's voice."
"No, I know that too. But why suddenly......."
"Isn't it obvious?"
Cider moved his steps without hesitation. Esperanza quickly grabbed his coat sleeve and practically trapped him against the wall. When Cider smiled broadly pretending to know nothing, Esperanza frowned and pressed in a low voice.
"How can you just barge in like that!"
The mont those words ended, a sharp cracking sound rang out. It was a bit more dull than the sound of breaking glass. Presumably, it was the sound of sothing tallic crashing into the ground or wall.
Cider, leaning against the corridor wall outside the reception room, and Esperanza, who was blocking him closely to prevent him from moving, nodded simultaneously. This was the sound of Cordelia throwing sothing expensive.
Where that expensive thing ca from was, well, obvious without saying. Cider whispered sothing in Esperanza's ear. Esperanza shook her head vigorously. And answered.
"Still, you can't go in. What would we do if we got involved in that?"
"Watch?"
"That's an, really."
When she pinched the back of his hand firmly, he pulled Esperanza into his arms with his now-healed arm. A cool Paoran scent ca from within his embrace. When did he smoke again, despite being a patient? Esperanza made plans to take all those damn cigarettes and hide them.
The situation beca a bit more serious the next mont.
"Lady Cordelia, this is rely a gift."
Duke Dunbarton was in the reception room. Only then did Esperanza realize that the remaining presence, besides the familiar auras of Cordelia and Alastair, was the Duke.
She hadn't thought of it since the reception room was a place servants frequently entered and exited. A confrontation with the Duke—no wonder there were loud sounds.
"And I'm telling you I don't need it! If it ca from House Dunbarton's jewelry box, I don't want even a speck of gold dust!"
"How emotional."
"Father, please stop saying such things......."
It was clear how much Alastair was suffering in the middle. But what could be done? In this situation, no other person could diate.
"Whether it's a fingernail-sized piece of gold dust or a fist-sized diamond, you have no reason to give it to . I also have no reason to receive Your Grace's gift."
"What if I said it was gratitude for saving my son's life?"
"If I had known I'd receive Your Grace's gratitude, I should have left Alastair Renfrew to die."
She could almost see how coldly Cordelia's bright blue eyes would be burning.
While Esperanza was nodding with personal ill feelings toward the Duke, Cider tapped her forehead and said.
"It would be good to stop this."
"Shouldn't she be allowed to say that much to Duke Dunbarton? Would he retaliate for that? What would he do?"
"I agree with that, but Lady Cordelia is soone who absolutely doesn't know how to back down, right? That ans."
That ans. Esperanza's face darkened as she repeated those words.
The sound of seething with uncontrollable anger could be heard even here. This ant there was one more explosion left. Only then did Esperanza lower the arm that had trapped Cider and headed toward the reception room.
In the anti, the Duke had uselessly wagged his tongue again. Cordelia exploded the anger she had been suppressing tightly.
"Cancel the broken engagent? If Your Grace is truly serious about that......."
It would have been good if Esperanza had opened the door a little faster. But in the mont of hesitation, Cordelia finally brought her last words into the world.
"I'll reconsider it at Your Grace's funeral!"
Amid the terrible silence that descended, Cider burst into a sigh.
"Magnificent."
Admiration? At this point?
The door burst open. Cordelia ran out with a pale face. And whether she couldn't see Esperanza or not, she disappeared like a ghost.
Duke Dunbarton trembled his beard that still held traces of red energy, then bent his waist to pick up a necklace with a broken corner.
"Take this and have it repaired. Isn't it your mother's keepsake? Ah, I've shown our guests an unseemly sight. My apologies."
The Duke's legs buckled completely.
"Father!"
Alastair hastily supported him. The Duke called for an attendant to entrust his body to, then shouted at Alastair.
"Alastair, I'll return to Talmine tomorrow, so make sure there are no disruptions in hosting our guests. You two please stay as long as you wish."
"I won't decline."
To give such an answer even in that situation—how shaless. The Duke clicked his tongue and left the reception room.
"Cordelia......."
"She's fine. Father is also fine."
Though she wouldn't be unhard, considering what Cordelia had been through and her fiery temperant, that was just her true feelings that had been suppressed for so long finally exploding. Resentnt that had been chewed over and fernted for a very long ti. So he was prepared to hear that level of harsh words. Father would have been too. If he had any conscience.
"She's probably regretting it."
"Probably so."
Even if it was sincere, she wouldn't have planned to say those sincere feelings. Especially considering the goodwill she showed toward Alastair.
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