AI: Artificial Isekai

Unconditional love. Is there such a thing? For me, love is intrinsically unconditional. But do I love every single person equally? Do I love them the same way? I thought I did, or I merely deluded myself to that effect. The answer I can give right now is no. Nevertheless, I still love them all. The good and the bad. For everyone has the potential to change and grow. Because if that is not true, then I can never love myself.

"Getting sappy again?" Elisa asks.

We let the beastfolk have a private moment, to talk just between themselves, before we continue on to the still waiting matters.

"Something like that." The elf has taken the opportunity to 'recharge', or so she said. "What are you recharging again?"

"Lucius energy. Very important."

"I was not in any significant danger."

"Uh-huh," she counters, entirely unconvinced. "Remind me, what does mana field weakening and destabilization allow a skilled mage to do?"

"...Detect and collapse spatial folds."

"Detect and collapse spatial folds," she quickly repeats to emphasize her point. And to hammer it in, I guess...

"My mana field did not reach such a state. You saw."

"Uh-huh." Another masterful counterargument. "You're lucky Khi was such good company." Her next words are cut off by the two guests returning. Though Elisa looks entirely unconcerned by their arrival, choosing to continue relaxedly leaning against me.

Both beastfolk are on the precipice of forming disastrously devilish grins. Better stop that.

"Unlimited prawn crackers," I say.

"Everything in the house is recorded," Elisa adds.

Her threa— Ahem. Her negotiation tactic appears to be a lot more effective than mine.

Rak'Na and Khi join us on the other couch in the gaming room, with the sovereign levitating over the left behind drinks.

Rak'Na starts, "Seeing as there's not much hidden between us anymore, why don't we get to the meat of things. I don't mind joining your little cabal."

"Not a cabal," I interject.

"Whatever you want to call it," Rak'Na practically huffs out. "Is Akt'Wovam on board?"

"Most likely," I reply. Councilor Olindir is a persuasive man.

"When are you going to reveal yourself publicly?"

"Not yet decided."

"Will I be alive to see it, at least?" Rak'Na asks.

"Yes."

"You answered that way too confidently. Some secrets are always good to spice things up." She leans against Khi, eliciting a groan from her daughter and a suppressed frown from Elisa. "There won't be much change, anyway. My principality has been too efficient as of late." She adds with a smile, "Not going to ask for a salary, are you?"

"Room and board for a couple of days should cover it. Khi has been bragging about the food in Querin ever since we met."

The beastfolk in question joins in, "What's the story we're going with?"

"You got captured on purpose to rescue Mi'Min, and I assisted you with the escape."

The princess hums in thought. "Is that going to work?" She hums again. "Well, escaping by myself would probably be less believable. What about your Guild?"

"I'll handle it. Don't worry."

Rak'Na actually looks a little guilty. "I do apologize, Lucius, but with the information I had at the time, it was the correct choice."

"It was. And nothing to apologize for. Would have happened sooner or later. Why not sooner."

"Alright. I'll take your word for it. And tomorrow we'll see if you are correct. But the Guild is a small problem. What are we going to do about Xyll? Want to go kill him?" Rak'Na asks with worrying nonchalance, causing Khi to flinch and turn to her mother in surprise.

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Elisa rolls her eyes at the sovereign. Then she answers with a flat voice, "Yes. Let's go do some murdering."

The elder beastfolk shrugs her shoulders, slightly jostling the younger. "Checking if you'd slip up."

"No, you were not," I say.

Rak'Na's face changes. "He's going to be a problem." Khi stiffens at the tone of her voice.

"He's going to be a potential problem. For me. Not for you."

"A problem for you is a problem for us all. Why not nip it in the bud?"

"First of all, I am not into killing people. And even if I was, Xyll is stronger than you."

"He is?"

"Very much so. I'll worry about him. And if he does something that necessitates a harsher response, I'll be quick to inform you. The situation is still very delicate."

Rak'Na stares at me for a time. Her gaze moves to Elisa. The elf stares back with a touch too much confrontation, only to get a hungry grin back.

But then the sovereign finally huffs out some air. "Okay. I've been convinced." Her proclamation makes Khi relax as well. And gets a haughty 'humph' from Elisa.

With the conversion about my personage all but wrapped up, I return us to the practical, "I'll wait for you outside the city, and you can collect me. Best to make it look as real as possible. Even for your people, too."

Rak'Na nods. "Give me a second." She teleports to the still open warp portal, steps through, and teleports again. A moment later, she does the same but in reverse. "No rush, right?"

"...I suppose so," I answer reluctantly.

She grins at me and turns to Elisa. "Would you mind showing me the interfaces in action, Archmage?"

"It would be a pleasure, Your Majesty."

The beastfolk waves her off. "No need for that. My name is good enough, no?"

"Then it's good enough for both of us."

The two grab their drinks, and the bottle, and rush off to the digital section of the gaming room, leaving me and Khi to talk amidst ourselves. Our conversation tries to stray far away from any consequential matters, choosing to be as inconsequential as possible. After a time, Khi remarks that my adventurer persona is not that different from my normal self. Huh. That makes me feel warm and fuzzy for some reason.

While I am showing Khi some fishing videos from Earth, much to the princess' enjoyment, Elisa and Rak'Na have displaced a lot of their blood with alcohol. Judging by their animated discussion about magic in Earth media, one would think they've been best friends for their entire lives. That makes me feel even warmer and fuzzier.

Eventually, our impromptu get-together must come to an end. Elisa and Rak'Na say their goodbyes, with a promise to get drinks next week. Khi takes her goodbyes with the elf, as well, with another promise taking place. The two beastfolk, equipped with shiny new tablets, walk through the portal back, and it snaps closed behind them.

"Don't dawdle," Elisa says. I quickly nod an affirmative. "What do you want me to make for your triumphant return?"

"You don't—" A glare reminds me to think before speaking next time. "No preferences. Go wild. Please and thank you." That earns me a satisfied smile.

She hugs me. Her voice is the most fragile I've ever heard it. "Be careful." I inadvertently tighten my hold. The elf sighs softly. "I know. You always are. Just so you know, if the Guild bullies you, I'm partial to moving."

"That was a creative one."

After a long moment, I warp to my destination. Almost immediately, Rak'Na zaps into existence next to me. I am whisked away to the palace's throne room, and to a welcome I did not expect. As her staff has been understandably working late, most were still awake. And with news of Khi's return spreading, many others were woken up, too. Thunderous cheers sound out for me and their princess, standing next to a regal sovereign.

Rak'Na sings our praises, spinning tales of our brave escape and rescue. She continues on with a very patriotic speech but tries to keep it on the shorter side. There will be time for full-length speeches tomorrow. I even add a few awkward words myself. As the mild farce comes to an end, Rak'Na stays back to handle some more matters, and Khi escorts me to my temporary abode.

We stop in front of the door, and the princess turns to me. A shimmering bubble envelops our forms. "Hey. Thank you. For all you've done. You've been looking out for me even before we met. Before you were given the job. Without you, I would have lost everything."

"Don't create a possible future that might have never existed."

Khi narrows her eyes at me, swaying her tail side to side angrily. "Just accept the thanks."

I clear my throat. "You're welcome."

The princess smiles at me. Then she yawns widely, covering her mouth with some embarrassment. "Better get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be... cluttered."

"Indeed. Good night, Khi."

"Night."

***

An unexpected message wakes me up from another shallow sleep.

[<NESH'MER>: Good morning, Big Bro!]

Let's add a little clarifier.

[<NESH'MER (MI'MIN)>: How do you eat?]

[<LUCIUS>: With my mouth?]

[<NESH'MER (MI'MIN)>: Not that! Where does the food go?]

[<NESH'MER>: She also asked me to describe the face she was making at you. A very cute pout.]

[<LUCIUS>: Any food I eat is processed the same way as the food you eat.]

[<LUCIUS>: Just when I'm squishy, though.]

[<NESH'MER (MI'MIN)>: You can be a golem?]

[<LUCIUS>: I can be a lot of things.]

[<LUCIUS>: Want to see?]

[<NESH'MER>: Don't rile her up so early. I was planning on spending the day sleeping.]

[<NESH'MER>: Also, the answer was yes.]

I send a video of a Knight drone doing some cool poses to Nesh'Mer's tablet. The description of Mi'Min's reaction is enough to fuel me for the next few million years. With a brief explanation, and most likely referencing her existing knowledge of golems, the little beastfolk quite quickly understands what she is looking at. The mechanics of it all still elude her, but that is to be expected. With the comprehensive education program I've compiled, she'll catch up. And so will everyone else. When the time is right, of course.

Mi'Min has an inexhaustible supply of questions, and her mother indulges her for a time. But an hour in, Nesh'Mer finds herself at a crossroads. Keep her daughter distracted a while longer or start handling the political quagmire that is waiting for her with a baseball bat ready. She reluctantly decides to square up. We send our—drawn out from both sides—goodbyes, and the two go on with their day. Guess I should go on with my day, too.