When war breaks out, if you say you have to bring down Laplace and his subordinates. Starting now we can begin to prepare our own forces."
"...Ho?"
"Creating an army... even not going quite that far would be sufficient, don't you think? The forces to defeat Laplace, if we start gathering them now, we'll have plenty of companions when the time comes."
Ah, Zanoba said something good.
It's like that.
If using up his magic power is the problem, if Orsted doesn't have to fight then everything is fine.
"Orsted-dono, as your curse prevents you from collecting comrades, Shishou... and Myself, leave that to us."
Then Zanoba stepped forward and took a knee, lowering his head, before Orsted.
"The current proposal, it's just an idea based on my limited understanding.
I'm not sure whether it's even relevant."
I don't know whether it can be realized, however it seems like a good idea.
The revival of Laplace... wasn't it not until 80 years from now?
If his revival is approximately set, then it should be within a several year time frame.
By that time we could have gathered plenty of strong allies like Perugius and the Death God, and be ready to strike when Laplace resurrects.
That way we can preserve Orsted's magical power.
"I do not know the detailed circumstances, but I have heard that you are fighting a two man war against Hitogami. And that Hitogami is -- "
There Zanoba abruptly stopped his speech, then raised his head to look at Orsted.
After that he placed his hands on the ground.
"He is the adversary who killed my little brother."
Zanoba went prone.
He was prostrating himself with his head on the ground.
It's not the usual way in which he just throws his entire body on the ground.
Slowly, gracefully, he shows his respect.
"Would it be possible to, please, accept Myself as another subordinate under Orsted-sama."
" .... "
"I want to make our enemy pay!"
I think Orsted cast a glance in my direction.
His vision should have been blocked but...
But, does he want my opinion?
Well, am I even qualified to give an opinion?
"Because of Zanoba's addition, the Magic Armor was able to progress.
Also, just now, that idea seemed pretty good.
In this last job, without him, I would have faced much harsher challenges."
"I understand."
Orsted did not bother listening to the end.
He nodded, stood up, and looked down at Zanoba.
Then he declared,
"In that case, then you shall be attached under Rudeus, look to him for instructions. If you say you can gather allies, then show me what you can do."
"...Y-yes sir!"
Orsted is still wearing the helmet.
Zanoba remains fallen in the prone position.
Like that, Zanoba became my co-worker under Orsted.
Part 3
Pax died.
The Shirone Republic - it won't be born.
Orsted's plans have also significantly been thrown out of order.
It's a large loss.
It is the result of my inability to move well.
Instead, Zanoba has applied for a position as my companion.
The end results of this, we won't know yet.
If it's him, then at least we should be able to make improvements to the Magic Armor but...
Still, will I be able to turn my existence into something profitable for Orsted?
I was told that I had made considerable accomplishments until now, but I feel as if it has been canceled out by this job.
Alternatively, it could have become a net loss.
I hope that my work in the future will allow me to become more than just a detriment.
No, I must become more.
In exchange for all Orsted has done to protect me from Hitogami, I don't know what I can do.
Orsted may be able to just move freely into his next loop, but this is the only time for me.
It was a miracle that I was able to start my life over once already.
Miracles do not occur twice.
In this life, I must live more fully.
For example, if I lived the life of Rudeus Greyrat over and over.
If the current me continues to drag Orsted down, then I'll become a burden.
Far from useless, my existence itself might be problematic.
There is the possibility that I would be unceremoniously cut down, forget being saved.
I must do my best here, there won't be a next time.
If I'm detrimental to Orsted, the me in the next loop will be fooled by Hitogami in the same way, warned by the future me, and then... killed by Orsted after picking a fight.
Alternatively, I might be killed at an earlier stage:
during my childhood in Buena village, or during the time I was Eris's tutor.
He could also target me on the return journey to Asura.
It seems like what will happen depends on the circumstances from here on out...
Orsted has been kind to me.
He should have many reasons, but a large part of it should be cold calculation.
His kindness could just be a means to scope me out for a subsequent loop; I don't know how I'd feel about that.
That is a possibility, I must not forget it.
Still, I was spoiled up until now.
Somewhere in my heart I believed, that by becoming a follower of Orsted, that he would somehow get aid to me when I really needed it, somehow.
I was thinking like that.
I must not be such a child in relation to Orsted.
Let's take that to heart once again.