Ch.43Let’s Try Self-Actualization (2)

Actually, her reaction was much more intense than I had imagined.

From the moment Marian began venting her frustrations, I was secretly terrified that I might get screwed over with a “5%” chance here.

Fortunately, this wasn’t some unfair event, but simply her expressing genuine frustration.

After hearing my words and going through every kind of sobbing fit, Marian finally seemed to have emptied herself completely and opened her mouth with a sigh.

“Phew… I’m sorry, I showed you such an inadequate side of myself.”

“No, well, these things happen.”

“By the way, how long have you known…?”

And when those words came out, a visual novel-like choice event appeared before my eyes.

—————————————-

1. <I’ve known everything from the beginning.>

2. <No, I just figured it out now from your expression when you came in.>

3. <…It’s a secret.>

—————————————-

Seeing the event choices appearing before my eyes, I immediately wondered if these bastards were trying to pull another affection manipulation event.

That thought floated through my mind, but…

“Um…?”

“Ah, well.”

Since I remained silent despite her question, Marian looked puzzled and called out to me again.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I immediately chose option 1 and said exactly what it suggested.

“I’ve known everything from the beginning.”

“…I thought so. That’s why you hesitated to speak just now.”

Fortunately, this seemed to be the correct answer, as our Pirate Empress (genuine) nodded her head and showed understanding of my delayed response.

…Of course, I didn’t do it on purpose, but anyway, it’s good that she understood.

‘Wait, that’s not what’s important right now.’

I organized my thoughts that were about to drift off topic again, and carefully began speaking to Marian who was standing in front of me.

“Marian, what is your ultimate goal?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

“That’s not what I mean. This is about reaffirming the goal you have.”

“…!”

I quietly swallowed the words “that’s how the event progresses” and continued.

“Be honest, Marian.”

“Yes…??”

“Honestly, judging by your own assessment, don’t you think you’ve become much stronger than what I initially planned?”

Hearing my calmly delivered words, Marian flinched her shoulders.

Eventually, she turned her head away and started whistling, pretending not to know what I was talking about.

“W-what are you saying? I still can’t even come close to Ignis, Berial, or Pashtra!”

But in response to Marian’s behavior, I took a sip of the tea Jessica had prepared in advance and continued.

“Ignis, Berial, and Pashtra are in a state that would be difficult for you to catch up to even if you devoted your entire life.”

“…!”

“Rather, in your current state, how should I put it… their amazing abilities are actually hindering your growth.”

“What?!”

*Slurp*

‘Ah, this tea is delicious.’

Though Marian’s eyes widened in surprise and her eyebrows shot up, I shook my head at her reaction and said:

“You’re already aware of it yourself, aren’t you? It’s just that your desire to become a little stronger and your fear of losing this comfortable place are obscuring that awareness.”

“Ugh…”

Marian winced as if my words had hit the mark.

Of course, what I just said wasn’t entirely my own thinking…

—————————————-

<Quest>

<Go to Broader Horizons>

<Was your embrace too comfortable?>

<The phoenix that should be flapping its wings toward the distant sky wishes to remain in your embrace.>

<But she knows better than anyone that she can’t stay like that forever.>

<Now you must help her spread her wings.>

<Objective: Support ‘Mary Ann’s’ ‘escape’>

—————————————-

‘I see.’

The event message that just appeared before my eyes was both forcing me to let Marian go and make her into the Pirate Empress, while also completely exposing Marian’s current state.

And while I internally shook my head at the appearance of such a quest window, I continued to persuade her to ensure the event chain would progress normally through Marian’s release (?) into the wild.

Anyway, after about two hours of intense persuasion checks in a very calm and composed atmosphere…

“So it seems like it’s time for you to leave the nest.”

“Brother…!”

“I’ll support your goal.”

“Uugh… yes…!”

“But if things get tough, come back here anytime. This place will always be your home to return to.”

“…Uuuu… waaah!”

After some appropriate emotional manipulation…

“I will, I will absolutely follow you forever, Commander! You just have to wait for me a little!”

“Hmm, yes, yes.”

I could nod as I watched our Empress (genuine) finally resolve to take her advancement test (?).

==========

And as they say, strike while the iron is hot.

Since we were on the topic, and judging that our Marian might really be unable to move if she stayed any longer…

“Commander, I’m sorry, but I’ll just borrow one shuttle.”

“…”

Like a true pirate, she showed her intention to “borrow” one of our shuttles and leave.

But seeing her like that, I stopped her for a moment.

“Ah, wait, Marian.”

“Ugh… what is it?”

“Docking facility number 19 has the cruiser you were on. I still haven’t found a captain for that ship.”

“…!”

“Besides, I heard that cruiser is ready to depart anytime…”

“…”

“Ah, I need to find a captain soon, but I heard there are lots of clones inside programmed to be loyal to the captain.”

“…”

“Perhaps if someone infiltrated with a captain’s appointment letter before a captain is assigned… the cruiser might be stolen outright.”

I placed a small device on the table where we had been drinking tea.

“But I have no idea where that captain’s appointment letter went.”

“B-brother…”

“And coincidentally, for the next hour or so, the base sentries and nearby surveillance devices will be turned off for maintenance.”

“Hic.”

“Truly, even if someone stole the cruiser… no one would know.”

“…”

“Of course, if I were awake when the ship moved, I could immediately notice something strange… but I’m planning to take a nap for about an hour from now.”

“Sniff… thank you, thank you, brother!”

At these words, Marian shed tiny teardrops and wrapped her arms around my neck.

‘Gack?!’

Although in the process, due to her overwhelming emotions, there was a minor incident where my neck bones were strained.

Anyway, hearing my words, Marian showed a genuinely moved expression.

“Please wait for me! I’ll show absolute loyalty to you from now on!”

“Urgh… y-yes.”

“Definitely! Definitely wait for me!”

Leaving only those words behind, Marian turned around and hijacked the “cruiser” without looking back.

Then she continued her journey toward the vast space, heading toward an unknown destination.

==========

Anyway, three months had passed since Marian left.

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Title: Upvote if this is a dying game that only does pirate one-trick events LOLOLOLOL

Author: CreatingANewWorld

Content: Ah this game is so boring, there’s nothing to do

Content is lacking

Comments:

-[That’s how all dying games are]

-[Those rabbit-gaming bastards;; but for real there’s no content]

-[Day 90 of praying for Pirate Empress to appear]

-˪[It’s been 90 days already?]

-[Seeing how ship production time is much longer than in the original game, maybe they extended the event time here too?]

-˪[Hmm interesting;]

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After pirate attacks continued for a “half year” with only changes to ship and unit compositions, most users thought this was normal.

More accurately, they were in a state of resignation, spending their days tearing apart pirates like they were collecting waste paper.

But such talk would end today.

—————————————-

Title: URGENT) Holy shit! Notice is up!

Author: Anonymous

Content: [Notice loading proof]

Something is finally coming!

Comments:

-[Finally, damn it!]

-[What, is the Pirate Empress noona coming?]

-[The Pirate Empress noona is coming to get with me!!!!!!!]

-[At last!!!]

-[Look at those veteran players who’ve been keeping quiet all this time suddenly waking up]

—————————————-

With news of a new “update” notice, the previously stagnant gallery on this topic was heating up noticeably.