episode_0271

I turned on the TV to rest and sat idly in a chair.

The news was covering the cancellation of the academy fair and the emergence of the erosion zone.

[Within hours of the incident, Restraid’s Knight Order cooperated with the Federal Army’s Special Operations Unit, eliminating numerous monster hordes, including mutated monsters, and rescuing civilians.]

Perhaps because they had spread money well in the media, the news was full of praise for the Restraid Clan.

[Regarding this incident, a spokesperson for the Assembly highly praised it as ‘an excellent operation born from swift decisiveness,’ emphasizing that only strong and resolute action can protect humanity. Meanwhile, Senator Remar caused controversy with his radical remarks, criticizing the military’s incompetent handling of the situation…]

What appeared on the screen was a room inside the Assembly. The suited assemblyman I had seen on TV last time was raising his fist and voice, giving a speech in front of reporters.

[“In the end, it’s the Clans that solve problems! The military always demands budgets, but what a mess is this? What have the generals been doing all this time? Now is the chance to disarm and entrust security to the Clans—”]

[“Shut up! Even if you’re a Hunter, there’s a limit to how much you can side with the Clans!”]

[“Listen, Assemblyman Servin! It seems you still think this is the military, but don’t act like a general in this sacred Assembly. What has the Federal Army brought us so far? Victory news? No. Annihilation, retreat, defeat! What have you been doing all this time? Pouring taxes and mobilizing people only to deliver failure, don’t you feel sorry to the citizens as someone from the military?”]

[“Silence! How dare a mere Hunter insult the honor of the military? Abis Remar! I challenge you to a duel!”]

[“Oh, go ahead!”]

The scene switched after showing assemblymen throwing down their gauntlets in front of the Assembly. The Assembly certainly runs in an interesting way.

“I want to be a politician too!”

“Is that possible?”

In fact, entering the Assembly isn’t easy.

This is because assemblymen are selected through recommendations, not elections. Becoming a senator, especially one responsible for core decision-making in the Federation, is extremely difficult.

To become a senator candidate, one must receive recommendations from the Speaker, regional commanders of the Federal Army, four-star generals or higher, old noble families, and major Clans.

Even after receiving such recommendations, one must pass several rounds of screening before finally being able to wear the assemblyman’s badge.

“What about Cascadia?”

“They lost their recommendation rights a few years ago, I heard?”

Oh no, the option of asking Adela Unnie for a letter of recommendation is gone.

Even if it were possible, Adela Unnie strictly separates public and private matters. Even if I asked the family, it would be difficult without the permission of the elders or the current head of the household.

“It would be great if I could become an assemblyman too.”

The image of Violet wearing an assemblyman’s badge appeared only briefly before dissipating like smoke.

While Unit 1 was smacking its lips in regret, Unit 2511 pointed out.

“Don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to become an assemblyman!”

“That’s right!”

Certainly, it’s impossible right now.

It’ll be a story for the distant future, though.

If need be, I’ll have to enter the Assembly building in the federal capital with the scholarship student.

What we know is only a part of the knowledge from Part 1, but let’s consider the difficulties we faced then. The scholarship student probably doesn’t view the Federation favorably either.

Time passed quite a bit as we discussed various things on the network.

When I turned on the screen, the news was still only about the barrier. It was useless to change channels. Every channel was plastered with stories about the barrier.

The barrier hadn’t lifted, so the blockade continued. I don’t know what will happen next.

There was something else I needed to worry about. Currently, we had two problems to solve.

The first was proliferation.

“We need to multiply! More than now!”

“Many Violets!”

Proliferation wasn’t difficult. After absorbing the Apostle, our mana increased, and mana regeneration and efficiency also doubled.

“Mana consumption has decreased!”

A Violet in training swung its sword. The blade, imbued with crimson sword energy, rubbed against the dust in the air, making a sizzling sound like frying a whole chicken.

I continued to swing various replicated weapons as a test.

It’s clear that mana consumption has significantly decreased compared to before.

In particular, the mana required for replicating weapons and creating clones has significantly decreased.

Previously, I could only recover about half of the mana used,

but now, when creating and regenerating clones, I receive mana back at a nearly 1:1 ratio.

Theoretically, this means I can now increase my reserve mana by several times.

“Wow! Violet bullets!”

The hibernating Violets became perfect auxiliary batteries.

“What about bullets? What about arrows?”

“Hmm, these are still the same.”

The fundamental limitations of the replication ability remained.

The range limit was unchanged, and bombs or bullets still didn’t work properly or misfired.

“It’s fine! I can just use more magic!”

I should learn more new magic spells.

So, what remains of the proliferation problem is…

“A house!”

“Where will we live?”

Yes, the real estate problem remains.

Money wasn’t a concern. If we just tried, there were many ways for us to earn money.

Right now, I’m earning money by doing odd jobs and going in and out of dungeons for training, so I don’t worry about pocket money. If I put my mind to it, there are many ways to earn a large sum.

“Artifact excavation! Requests!”

Or, I could do something darker.

“Become a fixer!”

“Contact Manager Leslie. He’s been looking down lately, ask if there’s any work.”

Assassination, theft, cargo transport, or seizure are trivial. There would be a high demand. If worst comes to worst, I could even acquire a factory and run it.

“Should I acquire an ammunition factory?”

If I raise funds and acquire a factory for manufacturing bullets and explosives, I could unleash firepower to my heart’s content.

Small arms like rifles and grenades can be purchased through Helios, but for heavy weapons, direct production might be more cost-efficient.

“Let’s look into it!”

Just in time, land prices are cheap around the central district where we live. If need be, I’ll buy it all and turn it into a Violet industrial complex.

“It sounds a bit socialist.”

At the mention of socialism, some Violets rebelled.

“No! It’s democratic!”

We free Violets are beings who pursue a sound market economy.

Communism or socialism felt uncomfortable just hearing about them. They felt excessively oppressive.

“Communism inevitably leads to dictatorship!”

“I hate dictatorships!”

In a corner of the network, the image of a moustached Violet appeared.

Secretary Violet furiously whipped and exploited the Violets.

“Purge!”

“Run away! It’s the Boundless Secretary!”

“Eek!”

It’s horrifying. If communism existed in this world, the Boundless Witch would have become the Boundless Secretary or the Boundless Revolutionary.

“It’s too scary!”

From the perspective of this academy city, where social ideologies hadn’t developed, it could be a blessing or not.

“Don’t worry! Rustroom doesn’t have communism.”

“Phew!”

Instead, there are Clans resembling American robber barons and military dictatorships.

“Plutocracy! Militarism!”

“Too anti-democratic…”

Oh no, I keep getting distracted by random thoughts.

Well, I can just buy cheap warehouses and houses and stack up hibernating Violets there.

Thus, the first problem was solved.

Then the remaining problem is…

“How should I apologize for my slip of the tongue?”

“Let’s say sorry to Ariel!”

Ariel was a pitiful child.

Her parents’ whereabouts were unknown, but they must have died at the fairground.

In short, an orphan.

Suddenly, a terrible possibility came to mind.

“Maybe we killed them!”

“What? Gasp!”

Everyone who turned into a monster due to the Apostle’s evil curse died.

Half of them died at the hands of other Hunters, students, or Federal soldiers fighting in self-defense, and more than half of the rest I killed.

Perhaps Ariel’s parents, with a fifty percent chance, were cut down or shot by us.

“Should I have saved them?”

Tiny buds of regret began to sprout.

If I had saved them, would they have returned to human form when Restraid and I defeated the monsters?

As the hypothetical possibility lightly surfaced, the scales tipped.

The heavy heart on the opposite side weighed down.

“Wh-what should I do?”

Even thinking about it yielded no answer.

In times like this, it’s faster to ask friends. I also needed to explain what happened inside the barrier.

“…So, what should I have done?”

My throat felt dry after speaking.

I just endlessly sucked on the chocolate shake in front of me through a straw.

Daphne hummed and tapped the cafe table a few times with her finger.

Her blue eyes, which had briefly wavered with surprise, soon calmed.

“It’s difficult. Which option should you have chosen…”

“Besides, Ariel’s parents were definitely among them. I can’t tell her that.”

Kalia, who was beside me, gasped and was speechless.

“By the way, Violet. Did Ariel’s illness get better because of that?”

“No, she’s still hospitalized.”

Daphne, who had been contemplating, spoke.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. If her illness didn’t get better even after the Apostles were subdued, then even if they had been captured alive, the likelihood of the monstrous patients recovering to their original state would have been low.”

Hearing that, I fell into thought for a moment.

Daphne continued speaking.

“My speculation might be extreme, but judging by their symptoms, their condition was very similar to ghouls. Medically, a person who becomes a ghoul is already considered deceased. It’s regrettable, but taking their lives might have actually been a merciful choice for them…”

Thinking it over carefully, it made sense.

Suddenly, a realization struck me. We really did save people!

Then perhaps we Violets might have saved the people who turned into monsters from a fate worse than death.

“Wow! That’s a relief!”

“…Even though I said it, you seem to be accepting it too quickly.”

“Ugh, sorry…”

Kalia, stirring the glass of lemonade, looked at me with a half-amused, half-dumbfounded expression.

“…I wondered why you were so down; turns out you can worry about others too.”

“Huh, what was that?”

Somehow, it’s as if she treats me like a ruthless warrior who carries out indiscriminate operations against civilians.

“Ugh! Kalia. I worry about civilians too!”

When I grumbled, Kalia quietly smiled.

“No, I’m not criticizing, it’s just… I thought it was a relief.”

As soon as she spoke, Daphne’s gaze subtly crossed with Kalia’s. What could that mean?

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“Hmm, I think Ariel got depressed because I brought up her parents! I want to go cheer her up again.”

“Violet, you’re not going to bring up her parents again, are you?”

“Oh, I shouldn’t do that. I know that much.”

“…That’s a relief. How about bringing a gift first? You went empty-handed last time, didn’t you?”

Kalia offered an opinion, and Daphne agreed.

“That’s right! It’s polite to bring something when visiting a patient.”

Ah, right. I’ll have to remember that next time.

A brilliant idea came to mind.

“Then… how about food?”

I explained my plan. Enough food to make the table bend, and countless desserts! She’d definitely like it.

Kalia let out a short sigh.

“Ah, Violet… your intention is good, but don’t you think something’s strange?”

“Why? She’s a patient, so she might need nutrition! Is there a problem?”

“It’s too much.”

After discussion, we decided to just buy a book, a doll, and flowers.

Fortunately, Ariel was delighted.

“…Thank you. But who are these people next to you?”

Ariel’s gaze, full of interest, turned to my friends. She seemed intrigued by the two beautiful, kind, and brave Unnies.

“Yeah, they’re going to be Ariel’s seniors!”

“Wow.”

Good, Ariel seems to be in a better mood, so this should make up for it.

“Still, you never know, right? Let’s plant myself here before we go.”

“Alright!”

Might as well embed a Violet in the hospital while I’m at it.