Volume 4 Chapter 28 Influence and Intimidation
"Ugh, this is so... uh, what's it called in the 'Great Summoning Era'?"
"'It's trending,' apparently."
Every newspaper in the Chaos Stone Dragonstone Kingdom—and this is no exaggeration—featured Horace's dungeon conquest live stream on their front pages.
Additionally, many shared horse carriages, including high-speed ones, were being heavily utilized. Everyone was eager to return to their homeland and deliver the information as quickly as possible.
The footage was that shocking.
Moreover, these 'recordings' existed, and Principal Velto deliberately did not hide them.
As for how the footage would be handled within the Dragonstone Kingdom, it was labeled as 'educational material.'
"It's not helpful at all!" was a natural retort, but of course, it was just a pretext.
Rather, because Horace's official position was 'experienced teacher,' this was the quickest way to settle things.
Nothing that would concern Horace if seen was shown.
The existence of 'Deus Ex Machina' was already known when it was used to defeat the 'Astral Dragon Gai Gigant' summoned to the royal capital.
The actual battlefield was outside the royal capital but within sufficient viewing distance from the walls. So, the rumor that 'Horace's armor has incredible performance' had already spread.
Of course, information from such situations that went public was mostly lacking in specificity.
Even the Seraphgold Empire, which was enhancing its military power by adding magic to its armor, was only mildly interested.
However, the footage this time was something that could be called 'unrealistic.'
By labeling it as 'educational material,' Principal Velto could release it with only his judgment, and it spread to the world without being hidden.
The world wasn't chaotic enough for this not to become a topic of discussion.
"But I wonder how this will be treated from now on."
Horace didn't mind being seen.
However, he didn't know what those who saw it would think.
"Hehe, basically, it seems like it will settle into 'desperately trying to obtain the armor, but not recognizing the footage as reality.'"
"Ms. Artia, you think so too, right?"
...Currently, Horace is sitting in the school cafeteria, reading a newspaper, while Artia sits across from him at a table, with Nousa on her lap.
Artia, clearly in her mid-twenties and looking nothing like a typical student, blends in quite well due to her student uniform.
And... she was gently petting Nousa.
Nousa seems to enjoy it and just lets Artia do it.
"...Huh, both of you understand? Why does it end up like that?"
Horace looks completely confused, but Artia and Nousa seem to have an idea.
"About the footage this time, sure, my brother's combat was amazing. But what's even more amazing is 'the recording technology itself.'"
"? "
"It uses a high-quality image and sound capturing method through a streaming drone and can record it. Such technology hasn't been established yet."
Artia looks half exasperated.
"Footage can only be preserved as a still image, and sound can only be recorded with an expensive magic-based device using wind magic, enough to record five minutes of music. Both are inferior in quality to the real thing."
"Recording, huh..."
"Also, with concealment or mimicry magic, if surveillance is done, no one would realize they're being watched."
"To put it simply, if you acknowledge this footage as real, that means the streaming drone has 'evidence capability.'"
"This drone has all sorts of features combined, but if the technologies were divided, sold cheaply, and spread widely, those in power who understand the importance of information regulation wouldn't stay silent."
"Ah, I see."
Horace also begins to understand the situation.
After thinking about it, he realized:
Simply put, "Yeah, that's a problem!"
Those knowledgeable about information must 'fully understand' that the combat aspect is monstrous.
However, if such a significant technological gap becomes known, those in power will face many problems.
"That said, whether someone can actually 'take command' or 'is taking command' is a different matter."
"So, there are people acting without thinking much for a while, aiming for 'Deus Ex Machina.'"
"That's what it means."
It's unavoidable that their technology gets targeted.
Powerful people hate others in foreign countries holding uncontrollable technology.
"Hey! I heard you're here!"
The three of them immediately thought of the word 'quickly,' but that was unavoidable.
Men wearing white armor with gold decorations entered the dining hall.
"...Are they knights of the Seraphgold Empire?"
"Wow, you already know about us?"
The man leading approached Horace with an oppressive presence.
But Horace, often facing monsters about 50 meters long, was not scared by this.
In fact, Nousa and Artia also kept their faces unmoving.
"I am Gailadd Elyuser, the third knight commander of the Seraphgold Empire. I'll be direct. I came to buy that armor of yours."
"..."
"That armor's performance is excellent. It is suitable for the Seraphgold Empire to own. I don't know where you excavated it from, but if you are a citizen of a country belonging to the World Conference, you cannot refuse this offer. We will offer it at a low price."
"...Haa."
Horace sighed, folded the newspaper, and placed it on the table.
"Hey. If you're going to make jokes, do it in order. I can't handle all the tsukkomi myself."
"What!?"
"Your argument is, 'Items from dungeons should be shared within the World Conference, and the Iron Armor is to be received by Seraphgold,' right?"
Laws set by the World Conference are mostly based on 'agreed theories' formed beforehand.
In this case, 'Items from dungeons should be shared within the World Conference,' and each country has strengths, prioritizing distribution of items suited to those strengths.
This creates a good cycle where monsters are defeated more easily and gold coins are earned more.
The theory of sharing is now understood as "exchange possible through negotiation" in modern times.
Based on that, they argue "only the Seraphgold Empire can handle high-performance armor," and it should not be monopolized by individuals.
But in this case, they are fundamentally wrong... or rather, "they have their own interpretation because there are parts they cannot accept."
"However, if I nod here, I would admit that it was taken from the dungeon, but this is a suit I made myself from scratch."
"Don't joke! Can a human make something like that? It must have been taken from a dungeon! Analyzing it to strengthen the empire's military power, the World Conference gains a weapon of military strength. That leads to overall happiness for humanity, don't you see!"
"...Sigh."
Horace sighed again.
"I think people who try to force their ideas with feelings instead of logic are either fools or frauds. Which are you?"
"Big brother. That's not it, that's not it."
"Huh?"
"I'm neither a fool nor a fraud. I'm a 'foolish fraud'."
The sister was worse.
"F-F-Foolish! I am the one speaking! Why are you not nodding? Who do you think I am!"
Next moment, Horace's iron fist pierced Gailadd's stomach through the armor.
"Gah..."
Gailadd stepped back, but his armor was already unharmed.
...And probably, his insides had no wounds either.
Still, Gailadd's face turned pale from the punch.
"I think he is the type who would faint from a single strike."
"F-Foolish! Don't think you can get away with violence against me!"
"Haha."
Horace showed a different aura—instead of his usual 'smothering pressure,' he emitted a dark, slowly spreading aura that instilled fear.
"Hic──"
"Are you prepared to go to hell with me? If not, get out quickly."
"O-Okay, I understand!"
Saying that, Gailadd left the dining hall.
"..."
"What's wrong? Nousa."
"Big brother. Did something happen in the past?"
"Huh?"
"I thought there might be some personal grudge at the root."
"I have no good memories from a long time ago. Of that knight order," Horace said.
Horace said that and started to read the newspaper.
Nousa and Artia understood that Horace did not intend to talk in detail.
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