Ch.64Nano Machines, Youngster. (4)

# Chapter 64: They’re Nano Machines, Rookie. (4)

Beyond expectations, the Empire’s favorability toward Ash was quite high.

If I were to express it as a percentage, it would be around 70%.

“That’s fortunate, isn’t it? At least you won’t have to suffer like you did when bringing in Alina before, Minister?”

As Riel said, it was indeed fortunate that I wouldn’t have to struggle dealing with opposition.

Of course, that’s excluding the fact that I had to handle all the incidents Ash caused instead of dealing with opposition.

Perhaps Riel was aware of this fact.

Even as she spoke those words, she seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me.

‘If you know, then don’t say it.’

Shaking my head at Riel’s behavior, I leaned back on the sofa and decided to change the subject for a moment.

“So, has a conclusion been reached about where to assign Ash now?”

The meaning behind my words was none other than this:

———————

“Oh, is this how politics flows around here?”

“I think it would be good to do it this way! Why, you ask? Because I still have some knowledge from the intellectuals of past empires inside me!”

A political sphere that was favorable toward Ash due to his considerable intellectual capacity, though not as good as Alina’s, and the fact that he wasn’t a hatred-driven AI.

In other words, his talent as a planetary governor.

-BOOM!

“Hehehe.”

“My goodness, even though it’s a target ship that was decommissioned, to destroy a battleship with just one shot…!”

“How can something that size have mobility comparable to a destroyer?!”

Performance as a single ship that would be difficult for anyone to match, not only in the current Holy Sebelli Empire but throughout the known galaxy.

-RUMBLE…!

“…It creates a metal tsunami.”

“If something like that comes charging in, armored legions and enhanced soldiers alike would be annihilated.”

And finally, as I had verified, his function as the highest-performing ground force in the game.

———————–

This meant that people who had their eyes on Ash’s abilities were engaging in daily brawls during meetings.

In response to my words, Riel shrugged her shoulders and answered calmly.

“Dunno~”

“…”

“I’m sorry, actually no conclusion has been reached yet.”

As she acted impudently, I reached into my pocket for my etiquette injection rod again, and Riel immediately changed her tone.

At her words, I felt dumbfounded.

“What? There’s still no conclusion?”

“Nope.”

“Didn’t the Capital Defense Fleet and the Security Ministry reach a dramatic agreement toward the end of yesterday’s meeting?”

“Yes, they did, but this time the Defense Ministry intervened due to pressure from the fleet admirals, so the resolution has been postponed.”

“…”

Thinking about it, this was only natural.

How could those old men obsessed with fleet power enhancement resist a moving fortress-class massive warship?

“Oh, and for some reason, the Justice Ministry and the Land Management Ministry have also joined this battle royale.”

“Why…?”

As I wondered why those old men and women were getting involved, Riel spoke as if it were nothing special.

“Unlike with Alina, there’s no opposition from the Empire regarding Ash, so some want to use him as a planetary governor or civil servant rather than as a combat force.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Besides that, there are minor things like the Alien Friendship Association offering an honorary director position, or the Assault Corps Training Center asking if they can use Ash somehow.”

Seeing how fierce the power struggle surrounding Ash was, I nodded and said:

“I was right to step back early.”

“Exactly. By the way, how did you predict that such a mess would occur?”

At Riel’s question, I inwardly recalled my past life when I agonized every time Ash became available.

“…Well, it was obvious.”

Even I, who had used him dozens of times, occasionally hit pause due to choice paralysis.

In this world, where Ash’s existence itself was essentially unprecedented, it was only natural that everyone would go crazy over him.

Of course, it wasn’t that I didn’t want Ash myself.

‘Can you resist a massive warship? Can you resist a gigantic land monster?’

But unlike then, I was now more of a civil servant belonging to the Empire rather than running it.

Regardless, once Ash had entered the Empire’s fold, my job was done.

After that, whoever used Ash for whatever purpose didn’t matter to me as long as it didn’t harm the Empire.

Whether power struggles occurred or not, we decided to watch from a distance, pretending not to know anything.

After all, no matter how long it took, Ash wouldn’t leave the Empire.

But there was one thing I overlooked:

The fatigue of those who had to witness that dog-eat-dog situation.

“Diplomatic Enforcement Minister, Arto Virtorius Sebelli, hear me!”

“Yes, I am listening.”

“This is an order regarding the treatment of Ash the Grey, who has pledged allegiance to the Empire. Obey it!”

“I will honor Your Majesty’s words.”

Until the moment I was suddenly summoned to the Imperial Palace and received an unexpected order…

“The Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry has previously handled matters concerning AIs, who, despite being hatred-driven intelligences, could be considered aliens. Is that correct?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“Then likewise, it is only fitting that you should also handle the treatment of nano aliens.”

“!”

“As of today, I bestow upon Ash the Grey the title of Count, and simultaneously assign him to the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry.”

“…!”

“Should anyone raise objections to this matter henceforth, it shall be considered defiance of the Emperor’s command.”

“Y-Your grace is immeasurable.”

Without any mental preparation whatsoever.

Unable to bear the sight of their squabbling, Artraia forcibly made me take charge of Ash.

Thanks to that, after the meeting ended.

I rushed to have a private audience with Artraia, which was really just an excuse to whine, for the first time in a long while.

Though this time, Riel didn’t come along.

Apparently, Ash would be with Riel…

“Artraia, why do you give me such trials?”

“Everyone else fell into one of two categories.”

Wondering what she meant, I looked at her intently. Artraia plopped down on the sofa.

Suppressing the jiggling of her personality pouch that occurred in the process, she spoke to me again.

“Those who openly fought to get Ash, and those who wanted him but didn’t step forward because they thought it was too much to stand among the dinosaurs.”

“A superstar has been born who drives fans and haters crazy.”

“Fans…? And what are ‘haters’?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

After taking back the words that had slipped out of my mouth without thinking.

I asked how long we would have to take care of him, but…

“What does it matter? You already get help from AIs because you have so much administrative work, right?”

“Hmm.”

“Ash will just be added to that. Is there really that much to think about?”

As Artraia asked with an innocent face, I responded with a more serious expression.

“Do you think it’s appropriate to answer a question with another question, Artraia?”

“Yes. If you don’t like it, you can be the Emperor instead.”

“Ah.”

And as expected of a genius.

After surrendering to Artraia, who countered in a way I couldn’t respond to…

I headed back to the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry on a lonely return journey.

But contrary to my outward appearance, I was secretly harboring a small expectation.

‘Oh, come to think of it, I don’t have any afternoon duties today, do I?’

If I could just return to the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry, or rather, my room, I’d be done for the day.

With that thought, I felt strength flowing into my body without realizing it.

‘I’ll get to rest comfortably for the first time in a while.’

—————————-

And immediately after arriving at the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry.

No.

“Welcome back, Minister!”

“No, I don’t talk like that.”

“…”

As soon as I entered the main entrance of the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry, I was greeted by two Riels out of nowhere.

“…”

“What do you think? No, what do you think-yo? Pretty similar, right?”

“Not at all-yo! The Minister recognized the difference between me and you right away-yo!”

No, rather than greeting me…

It felt more like these troublemakers were trying to make me judge their bet.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t this good enough to be friends with the Minister?”

“Stop talking nonsense-yo. Our Minister doesn’t have enough social skills to make friends, so why would I be one of those few friends-yo?”

“Oh my.”

“So don’t try to steal one of those few friend positions and find your own place-yo.”

…Or was it just a venue for insulting me?

Anyway, if I left them like this, it was obvious that Ash would be fed unnecessary false information.

So I dragged my tired and weary body over and said:

“What kind of slander are you spreading?”

-THWACK!

Once again, I had to bring down the etiquette injection rod on Riel’s crown.