NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 113
“Allen-sama’s existence is a critical point for the Imperial Nation. Should you be captured by a foreign nation, we cannot predict the extent of the damage that would follow.”
Even though I had tried to politely request that I not be treated with such special care, Minato firmly rejected my suggestion.
“I understand your desire not to be treated specially. However, this is the duty of those in higher positions. In a sense, this is one of the few wishes that even someone of your stature, Allen-sama, cannot have fulfilled.”
It seemed that, among other things, there was a rule that neither the emperor nor anyone with the rank of ‘heaven’ could leave the territory of the Imperial Nation. In fact, many past emperors had never set foot outside the capital planet, and even among the nobles, very few had left the country’s domain.
They are treated almost like human sacrifices—though the meaning might be a little different—forced to become symbols to unite the vast empire of the Imperial Nation.
Those words could easily be considered treasonous, dangerous thoughts. But it seemed that Minato, having seen how the current emperor was treated, held those views.
“But I frequently travel between various worlds. It would be difficult for me if there were such strict restrictions on my movements…”
“Yes, we are fully aware of that. That’s why we sent something to Zerad to provide a solution.”
“Something?” I asked, confused, as Minato smiled mischievously, like someone whose prank had just succeeded.
“A state-of-the-art android that our Imperial Nation developed with all its might. It’s a unit that has been secretly in development for a long time, designed to assist with your powers, Allen-sama.”
Minato’s expression was one of sheer excitement, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
When you think of an android, what comes to mind is a human-like robot, and that image wasn’t too far off. The android sent to Zerad was also a humanoid robot.
“This is a ninth-generation, human-type android called KAEDE, developed for various missions. We have been aware of your abilities, Allen-sama, and in preparation for the day you’d need it, we’ve been developing this android in secret.”
The power I possess, the ability to travel between different worlds, is extremely powerful. However, there’s a limitation: other living beings cannot pass through the Moon Gate, the portal that connects the worlds.
But strangely enough, plants, like the Magic Rose I cultivated on Earth, can pass through the Moon Gate. Even though plants are technically living organisms, they can cross the gate, which I find odd.
It feels as if there’s some kind of arbitrary distinction being made, rather than a clear-cut rule.
In any case, while the Moon Gate doesn’t completely reject all living beings, it does prevent anything that is alive in the conventional sense from passing through.
That’s why the people of the Imperial Nation, including Minato, had prepared a literal secret weapon for this moment.
“Indeed, if it’s an android, it isn’t considered a living being, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
Androids often appear in science fiction, and while their depictions vary from story to story, they are generally robots that look human.
Some stories even depict them turning against humans, but one thing is clear: if it’s an android, it should have no problem passing through the Moon Gate.
“You’re suggesting that this KAEDE android will serve as my bodyguard?”
“Yes. KAEDE was developed to handle various situations and possesses specs that surpass those of androids specialized for specific roles.”
Apparently, KAEDE had been designed to look just like a human so that it wouldn’t stand out in modern-day Japan or in the world of Asphial.
Thus, I could take KAEDE with me to those worlds without any problem.
Of course, having someone by my side at all times could be a bit much, but if I were to continue my activities in other worlds, a bodyguard would be necessary.
It seemed like a compromise had been reached after much negotiation, resulting in this solution where an android bodyguard would accompany me.
I could sense that, ideally, they’d prefer to lock me away on a planet within the Imperial Nation’s territory, somewhere where they could manage all the risks. But at the same time, I could feel their genuine desire to respect my wishes as much as possible.
“So, how exactly will this android arrive?” I asked.
Given that I frequently travel between different worlds, having an ally I could communicate with would be ideal.
However, I was puzzled by how this android would be delivered. Would it arrive on a spaceship, disguised as a regular person? Does this era have delivery services like Ama**on? Would it be shipped as a delicate piece of equipment?
As those silly thoughts spun in my mind, I noticed Eri standing beside me, looking equally deep in thought with a serious expression. Judging by the atmosphere, Minato’s proposal seemed to be news even to agents like Eri, who worked for the Imperial Nation. The staff waiting in the room also seemed somewhat unsettled.
“There’s no need to worry,” Minato said. “She should be arriving shortly.”
Just as Minato made that ominous remark, a small lightning bolt crackled in the empty space of the large room, lightning flickering across the area.
“It seems the timing was perfect.”
The soldiers and Eri, who had been standing by in the room, immediately moved to stand between me and the strange phenomenon, on high alert. But Minato, watching this scene through the monitor, seemed completely unfazed, calmly observing the electrical discharge.
*Bzzzzt!*
“What is this…?”
The space where the lightning had appeared flashed brilliantly, turning everything white for an instant. When the light subsided, a woman stood there.
She had striking red hair that gradually faded to orange and then to white towards the tips, creating a beautiful gradient that resembled autumn leaves.
Her clothing, too, was artistic—a modified kimono in warm hues of red and orange, designed to allow ease of movement. On the wide sleeve of the kimono, written in elegant black calligraphy, was the name KAEDE. It seemed that she was indeed the android Minato had mentioned, created with the pinnacle of technological expertise from the Sakura Imperial Nation.
“―――― Transfer complete. Destination: Galaxy α12:42:16, resource planet Zerad, Star City area 1-9-44, Rose Hotel, 23rd floor conference room. Transfer confirmed successful,” she said in a cold, mechanical voice.