Instead of Duke Roland, my stepmother spoke.
"The elders of the main family, including your father, are pleased with your accomplishments."
"And?"
"They simply hope you continue your efforts."
No way.
They must have been startled by the sudden change in the situation.
Achieving high marks at the academy is a significant achievement that could become an issue across the entire Human Union, and it means I can become a person of great influence even after graduation.
But someone who was completely ignored suddenly rose up?
They must have realized that a redefinition of their relationship was necessary.
If possible, it would certainly be beneficial to foster a positive image.
‘Easier said than done.’
However, Leonard Monarch was a figure who the family had almost abandoned.
While it is commendable that they dispatched Roland Monarch, my father himself, it’s hard to believe they had high expectations.
"That’s nice to hear."
"It’s the truth."
Anyway, the important fact is this.
I am currently a member of the Monarch family.
As long as I am in the body of Leonard, who bears the Monarch name, I am inevitably linked to the Monarch family.
If I do well, the Monarch family will indirectly benefit in some way, and conversely, the more my influence grows, the less the Monarch family can be free from my sway.
An inseparable relationship.
But is this necessarily a bad thing?
Absolutely not.
"So, is that all you called me here to say?"
I asked, slightly shrugging my right shoulder.
It was time to get to the main point.
"Of course not. Do you think the main family would sit back and watch while a member of the Monarch family is doing so well?"
"And that means...?"
"The main family has promised support. If you need anything, just say so."
Yes, this is it.
A family with history and tradition makes quick judgments.
"Alright."
I nodded without hesitation.
Such business is always welcome.
***
I got more support than I had hoped for.
Roland Monarch never once shook his head at anything I mentioned.
It was almost disconcerting how much he agreed to my terms.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Although there will be more things I need to do in return, compared to what I’ve gained, it’s worth it.
"‘I promise on my name,’ he said..."
Roland was a somewhat peculiar person, different from what Lemon's memories suggested.
Anyway.
These memories of Leonard are so unreliable.
Remembering how I grumbled about being influenced by Lemon's memories is now embarrassing.
Even though it’s a memory from just two weeks ago.
I got up from the small bed inside the shuttle and headed to the control console.
[Estimated time until arrival: 00:58:29]
After three days of flying, we were almost at the final destination of this trip.
‘Seeing space for three days straight is getting a bit boring.’
At first, it was all fascinating, but the repeated scenery quickly lost its charm.
Indeed, even the best things should be enjoyed in moderation, and the best views should be seen occasionally.
I recalled the task at hand.
‘Fontana Unte.’
A scientist.
A leading figure in the field of automated combat machines in modern times and a renowned weapon developer.
However, when neural parasites capable of infecting AI sensors appeared and the utility of automated combat machines drastically declined, he rapidly fell from grace.
Of course, a mind like his couldn’t have completely collapsed all at once.
To prove he wasn’t wrong, he pulled in all available capital and continued his research.
But the response or counterattack technologies he developed were merely adequate, and they couldn’t keep up with the evolving speed of the aliens.
Ultimately, he ended up deep in debt.
Fontana Unte then spent 30 years working unpaid at a military research lab to repay his debts, was released, rejected all scout offers, and disappeared.
‘…Or so it is known.’
Fontana Unte's determination was far greater than that.
What good would it do to accept a scouting offer and become the head of a research institute?
He wouldn't be able to conduct the research he truly wanted.
He had set up his research lab on this remote planet, continuing his research.
'It's far, far away.'
The distance from here to Terra, where the academy is located, is a six-day journey.
Even though I optimized the route, I barely made the deadline.
Still, Fontana Unte is worth that effort.
Why is that?
Because he is a trump card of the novel’s main plot.
'Is this the place...?'
It looked like a shabby building.
The broken windows and moss-covered exterior made it look like an abandoned building.
If only I wasn't the writer of this book, I would have never believed myself that a person could live in this kind of place.
"Is anyone here?"
I opened the door, and its upper part shattered, revealing the interior.
Inside, it was still silent.
Does he not know?
No, with Fontana Unte’s meticulous nature, almost to the point of being eccentric, there’s no way he wouldn't know someone was visiting his hideout.
He must be watching.
I explored the interior with the feeling of playing a horror game.
After a short walk, I found a passage leading to the basement.
If the information is correct, this is the real entrance.
I readied my body in a light state of tension and descended the stairs.
At that moment, something sharp swung towards my head.
Clang!
I struck the side of a weapon that looked like a guillotine blade.
I thought I had hit it hard enough, but instead of breaking, it only left a fist imprint.
'It's tough.'
Several more exchanges followed.
The trap turned out to be a combat machine equipped with blades on both arms.
It could easily tear apart an Armor Spider.
I don't know about its combat sense, but it could definitely go toe-to-toe with a level 2 threat like a Razor Bee.
"Pretty impressive."
As I said that, its joints separated, and small missiles were fired at close range.
However, the small bullet-like explosions caused no real damage as I was wearing my combat suit provided by the cadets of COH Academy.
"Come out now. Haven't you seen enough?"
- By whose permission did you enter?
The reply came from the combat machine I thought I had destroyed.
How is it still moving, despite half its components being blown away?
'If it took a hit from my punch, the internal mechanisms should be completely ruined.'
This means it was designed meticulously.
It looks roughly made, yet it's this advanced.
If it could be properly funded, its combat endurance would develop to terrifying levels.
- Who dares to interrupt my precious time? Just a kid?
"For a kid, I'm pretty good, right?"
- Don’t be conceited. You didn't even reach the level of a rookie superhuman.
He's probably right.
No matter how hard I train, it's only been three months.
There’s a limit to how much one can improve in such a short period.
On the other hand, Fontana is one of the top minds of this era, desired by everyone.
"If you’re not going to kick me out, let's talk. I have a very interesting proposal..."
- As if there’s anyone who doesn’t say that. Get lost before you get hurt, kid.
"Uh... You'll regret it."
I took out a paper I had printed earlier from my pocket and waved it in the air.
I scribbled it down during the three days it took to get here.
It's information on the neural parasite I encountered last time, scribbled somewhat haphazardly, but I thought Fontana Unte, who is thorough, would recognize it.
"Hmm, don’t you recognize it?"
- What are you doing?
"I'll leave it here. Contact me if you're interested."
- ...Wait a minute.
He took the bait.
The paper that I threw was immediately caught by the combat machine.