Ch.341True Pinocchio (2)

“How much do you know about Psychorobo?”

Bluebeard asked.

“Well… isn’t it the materialization of the soul’s inner power?”

I replied.

“That’s right. It’s a power that any sentient being with self-awareness can use. Generally, the stronger one’s mental fortitude, the more powerful Psychorobo they can control.”

Bluebeard explained.

“Then why did you give me a bug-like Pinocchio at first? My mental strength is high!!”

Huh? I’m getting annoyed.

“That… couldn’t be helped. Back then, you were mentally incomplete. Your past self intentionally reset your very existence. Because of that, your soul’s density was low, and that was the only level of Psychorobo I could give you.”

Bluebeard said.

I see. So it’s because my save data was wiped once. That explanation made sense.

“But you’re different now. You properly confronted your past self, and as a result, your soul has been somewhat completed.”

Bluebeard continued.

“Completed…”

“The privilege that only a hero can use—the ‘True Pinocchio’ that was unlocked in your status window—is the result of your changed mental state. Now you should be able to release even greater power.”

“So you’re saying you’ll strengthen me? Then hurry up and do it.”

I immediately replied.

“That depends on you.”

Bluebeard said, waving his hand.

“If you trace your earliest memories as a hero… you might find the answer.”

As he spoke, a door appeared.

“This is the final dungeon in this soul room. There, recall your memories as a warrior. Since you’ll be navigating your confused subconscious, you might get lost. You might never return and become a vegetable.”

Bluebeard warned.

“I don’t wanna.”

I immediately replied. Damn. The risk is too high. Come to think of it, I’m already strong enough. Whether I have True Pinocchio or not, I’m strong.

“Master… I want that ‘True’ in my name…”

Pinocchio, unsatisfied as usual, immediately put on a sullen expression.

“Alright. I’ll do it for you.”

I grabbed a marker pen from Bluebeard’s desk.

Squeak! Scribble!

And I wrote the Chinese character for “True” (眞) on Pinocchio’s forehead, which was perfect for flicking.

“There, happy? You’re True Pinocchio now. If I say so, that’s what you are.”

I said firmly.

“I hate this!! This is stupid!! If you write the character for ‘meat’ on someone’s forehead, does that make them a muscle man?!!”

Pinocchio shouted.

“Yes!! If you believe it yourself, that’s what you are!!”

I patted Pinocchio’s shoulder.

“I hate this!! This is stupid!”

Pinocchio threw a tantrum. Sigh… it’s been a while since I hit him. Should I discipline him now? But I was someone who knew how to persuade.

“Geez. It’s because I used a water-based marker? It’ll wash off when you wash your face. Fine. It’s not good for your skin, but I’ll use a permanent marker. Happy now?”

I made a big compromise.

“That’s not what I meant!!”

Pinocchio shouted loudly.

Anyway, while Pinocchio and I were arguing…

“Don’t worry. There’s a way to minimize the risk.”

Bluebeard cleared his throat.

“There’s a guide.”

Bluebeard said.

“A guide?”

So there’s someone who’ll act as a map marker? This is good news.

“It’s Violet.”

Bluebeard patted Violet’s shoulder.

“Violet?!! You finally got a job as a designated driver!!”

I shouted. Right. She faithfully served as a mobile portal when we resolved the Fiora incident.

“That’s not it!!”

Violet’s face turned red as she shouted.

“Hehehe. Well, there are circumstances. You’ll understand when you enter the dungeon.”

Bluebeard seemed unable to hold back his laughter. What’s this? Why are you laughing alone? Let’s laugh together.

“Let’s go then!!”

Violet angrily opened the dungeon door and went in. What’s going on? Violet… what’s up? I was curious about that.

Anyway, I followed Violet.

——–

As soon as we entered through the door, a vast forest spread out before us. Tree houses were clustered together on the mountainside. It had a distinctly fantasy-like atmosphere.

“Memories of a past life…”

In my past life, I started my journey as a hero in a fantasy world. This was from that past.

“That village… do you remember it?”

Violet asked.

“No.”

I replied curtly.

“……..”

My answer seemed to make Violet strangely uncomfortable. What can I do? I confronted my past, but I don’t remember everything from it.

Whoosh! Crackle!

Suddenly, flames began to rise throughout the forest.

“Kyaaaah!!”

“Uwaaaaah!!”

At that moment, flames engulfed the entire forest.

“Kihihihik!!”

The evil voices of monsters could be heard.

“Goblins…!”

Goblins were attacking the village houses with weapons.

“Someone!! Help us!!”

“The guards have been defeated!!”

“Kyaaaah!!!”

Even in a dangerous fantasy world, not everyone had high combat power. In any world, ordinary people were weak.

“I’m going to save them…”

I immediately tried to draw my sword.

“Shh.”

Violet grabbed my sleeve.

“This isn’t your memory, but the actual past. If you and I intervene in the past, things could go wrong due to the butterfly effect.”

Violet explained.

“Ah… so that’s the setting.”

I roughly understood. Time paradoxes appear too frequently in creative works.

Violet and I hid in the nearby forest.

Just then, my past life’s party was passing near the village. I couldn’t mistake that pointy-headed figure. It was me. My past life self.

“We have to save them!!”

Back then, I was bright-eyed with a sense of justice.

“Wait. We’re on an urgent mission right now, Hero.”

There was a woman with purple hair who clearly looked important. Her unique beauty was emphasized by her dress. But she also properly held a sword. Probably a party member.

But… she strangely resembled someone. That haughty expression that seemed like it would feel good to hit… those seductive lips…

“Violet?! Is that you?”

I looked at Violet. Her specific appearance was different. But I knew that was Violet from her past life.

“Yes. That’s me… from my past life.”

Violet said.

“Since when…”

I looked at Violet. When did she recall her past life memories?

“Recently. But… I noticed earlier than you. Geez. You don’t seem to remember anything.”

Violet grumbled. She probably felt disappointed that only she remembered.

“Princess…”

My past self looked at her. Violet, you were called a princess in your past life. A high-ranking person, I see.

“We need to eliminate the monsters plaguing the Pelagon Kingdom. The Pelagon Kingdom is an important nation that handles humanity’s military power!! We don’t have time to worry about a mere village!”

The princess shouted.

“You’re a commoner, so you wouldn’t understand. But right now, become a noble. Don’t forget the importance of the greater good.”

The princess exclaimed.

“Greater good? Are some lives worth more than others?”

My past self’s expression immediately hardened.

“All humans are… not equal. Especially in wartime like now.”

The princess said.

My past self silently ran toward the village.

Slash!

And cut down a goblin.

“I told you to stop!”

The princess shouted.

“How can we save the world if we can’t protect one village right in front of us?”

I said that, then proceeded to cut down the goblins one by one.

“I protect everything within the reach of my sword. That’s why I became a hero.”

I made that one statement.

“What…”

The princess looked surprised at those words.

“Sigh… such a softie.”

The princess said that, then immediately followed me.

And the princess and I saved the village from the goblin horde.

“This is heartwarming.”

I said to Violet.

“Don’t stick so close to me just because of this!”

Violet immediately pushed me away.

‘Protecting what’s within reach…’

It was worth peeking at this memory. I felt like I’d found my original purpose. The strange feeling of warmth in a corner of my heart was a bonus.

———

Anyway, the memories continued. It felt less like a dungeon and more like tracing through past memories.

The princess and I grew closer as we adventured together. It seems we were traveling as a duo at this time. Did the other companions I saw in other memories join later? I was making such guesses when…

After two months of travel, the princess and I, who used to book two separate rooms… now booked one room with twin beds.

Violet’s face turned bright red. Yes, everyone knew. My past self and past Violet were… three seconds away from getting it on. The sweetness in their eyes as they looked at each other was palpable.

Violet and I snuck into the inn while the innkeeper was dozing off and secretly entered the adjacent room. It was right next to the room my past self had booked.

The rooms were barely soundproofed, and suggestive sounds echoed through the wall.

“Haahn❤ Hnnng❤ A mere commoner… trying to dine with nobility… haaaahn❤”

“Princess… I like you… I love you! After we save the world, I’ll make you happy! Let’s be happy together!”

“You… this isn’t your first time, is it? You’re too skilled…!!”

“It is my first time!! I tried to hold back… I’m sorry! You’re just too beautiful, Princess…!”

“Hwaaaaahn❤ Will you take responsibility… for taking my first time?”

“Yes!!! Absolutely!!”

“W-well, I suppose it can’t be helped… taking care of the hero’s mental state is also… hwahaaaahn❤”

Embarrassing sounds echoed all around.

“Um… Violet. Past lives are past lives… and the past is the past, right?”

I tried to ease the awkward atmosphere.

“………..”

Violet remained silent with a flushed face.

Indeed. It seemed that my past self’s first woman was… Violet from my past life.