Chương 159: Chapter 42: "Once Upon a Time in That World"

"So Mom came to this world a long time ago!?"

"Yeah, that's right. By some twist of fate, it seems her child was drawn to this world too." I see. I certainly feel something like destiny at work.

"And she saved this world together with you, right, Lenks?"

"Well, I guess you could say that."

"How long ago was this?" When I asked, Lenks scratched his cheek, looking a bit troubled.

"It's hard to answer off the top of my head... I think it was roughly two thousand and something years ago." That would be the time when the Ancient Civilization was said to still remain. It doesn't contradict the fairy-tale-like world Mom used to talk about—a place that was beautiful and terrifyingly advanced technologically. Back then, I really thought it was just a fairy tale. But...

"That's strange. There's no way Mom lived that long. Unless... she was actually a FabL too?"

"No, I don't think so. When I first met her, she said she was sixteen or something. And after that, she matured into a real beauty. If she were a FabL, her growth should have stopped completely." I wish he'd stop getting that sloppy grin on his face while thinking about someone else's mother, but setting that aside.

"Then, the only possibility is—Mom came to the Elntia of the distant past, or rather Estotia, by crossing time." Thinking I was saying something outrageous myself, I continued.

"Wait, didn't you bring her here, Lenks?"

"Nope. Before I knew it, she would just suddenly appear where I was."

"Heeh."

"Come to think of it, she always showed up so casually that I never really paid much attention to how she got there."

"Isn't that something you'd normally pay attention to?"

"Sorry about that. Being a FabL for so long, world travel just becomes second nature! I definitely should have cared more." Anyway, Lenks didn't bring her. Then how in the world did Mom travel to other worlds? And across time, too. Even though she wasn't a FabL. From Earth. Is such a thing even possible?

"Is there something on Earth?"

"Hmm. I don't know... but maybe there is. That world is certainly unique, or rather abnormal."

"Abnormal?"

"Yeah. Its Tolerance for everything except physical laws is way too low. Almost non-existent. It's a lowness I've rarely seen in other worlds." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Is that so. This is only my fifth world including Earth, so I don't really have a sense for it. But certainly, all the other worlds I've been to seemed to have higher Tolerance compared to Earth.

"I'm kinda curious. Can't we go there and check it out?"

"Sorry. I already used [Rebellion] on that world once, so there's no easy way to go back."

"I see. That's too bad."

"My bad. I'll keep it in mind, though." With that, the talk about my home world was put on hold for now. Thinking back on it later, maybe I should have paid a little more attention to it.

"More importantly, let's talk about this world. Why has it become so desolate?"

"Well, apparently a massive nuclear war turned the world into a burnt wasteland."

"That's a shame. Human karma, I guess."

"Really. Ever since then, the two races—the surviving humans called Humite and the created mechanical humans called Natura —have lived and fought against each other."

"Natura, huh. I recall hearing rumors back then that household robots with that name were being developed. Because the birthrate was declining severely, they were meant to secure labor and serve as family substitutes." Household robots. I never imagined they had such roots. So the story that they were created after the war is a lie?

"Then, what about Humite? Did the humans of this world start calling themselves that?"

"Was it different in the past?"

"I'm pretty sure they just went by 'humans' back then. Seems a lot of things changed without me knowing."

"Well, two thousand years have passed, so I guess things would change."

"Hmm. Now I'm curious too. Tell me the details."

"Of course. I intended to." I explained everything to Lenks, including what happened since I came to this world. And that I was just about to head out to investigate the Tia Continent.

"I see. I understand the situation well."

"Will you lend me your strength?" Lenks didn't nod immediately. With a solemn expression, he spoke as if giving a warning.

"FabLs rarely use their power seriously, except for abnormal situations where the existence of the world itself is threatened, or when other FabLs are involved." Then, his face crumbled into his usual gentle expression.

"Have you heard that most of us are like that?"

"No. But Thomas Glaver didn't help us in the end back then."

"Our power can easily make the world go crazy if used lightly. That's why I'm careful too." True. Moving the moon, disturbing the laws of the world—it's chaotic. He spoke of his own policy.

"Basically. Unless I'm dealing with another FabL, I try not to wield my power recklessly and always stay in the background. I did the same with Yuna."

"Then..." Looking at me realizing the nuance, Lenks grinned.

"Yeah. If you're fine with that, I'll gladly lend you my strength. It's for none other than cute Yu, after all."

"Got it. That's fine by me. Thank you." I gained the strongest helper. I was filled with reassurance.

"The capital of the Ancient Civilization, Estrayl, should have been in the inland part of this continent. Let's head out for the investigation tomorrow."

"Yeah. The radiation there is terrible, so I need to ask for equipment for you too, Lenks."

"Fuffuffu. Who do you think I am? I don't need such clunky stuff."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. I'll put up a protection that blocks radiation perfectly."

"... After I went through the trouble of having them prepare it, I'm starting to feel bad." This person is truly off the charts in various ways. Suddenly, Lenks asked with a worried face.

"By the way, what happened to your left arm?"

"This? Just a little something during the fight with a Natura named Lilna." The moment I said that, his eyes turned serious. Lenks awakened to the Killing Intent.

"All right. Let's go destroy that bastard right now! How dare they hurt my Yu!" Didn't you just say you wouldn't wield your power recklessly!? I panic and grabbed Lenks' arm to stop him.

"Wait! We already made up! She was practically being manipulated too, you know!"

"Hmm. Well, if you say so, fine. You really are a kind guy."

"I'm not particularly kind. I get angry like anyone else, hold grudges, and get jealous too."

"Well, you're human, so that's normal. Including all that, you're, how should I put it, kind at heart."

"You think?"

"Yeah. Just accept the compliment honestly." He patted my head with his hand. Just like he used to do when I was a child. Lenks' hand always feels warm. It's reassuring. Then, he suddenly started grinning lecherously. I have a bad feeling about this.

"So, kind Yu-kun. I'd really like to see the girl version of you after such a long time." I knew it.

"I refuse. You'll try to hug me the moment I transform, it's annoying."

"Don't be so stiff! Please! Come on!" While shaking off him clinging desperately, I couldn't help but raise my voice.

"Ah, geez! I'll transform properly when it's necessary!"

"Really!? It's a promise!"

"I know! I know, so let go!" Is my relationship with Lenks going to be like this forever? I worry about the future.