I’m Sick of the Kind Protagonist, so I Might as Well Just Die - Chapter 72

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#72
“You students surely understand—this form is utterly at odds with my aesthetic sensibilities, wouldn’t you say?”
The students nodded unconsciously as they recalled Perenustus, impeccably dressed in resplendent finery, and the world he had created. Even I could see that this musty Palace Square’s infernal tableau was hardly to Perenustus’s taste.
“As you can see, a research lecture stage that was never discussed beforehand has been superimposed over my world.”
“….”
The creators of other worlds trapped within the spheres rolled their eyes, evading Perenustus’s reproachful gaze. In the brief silence that followed, a fairytale-like world descended to blanket the inferno.
The Palace Square’s landscape—transformed at whim as Perenustus and I waltzed—filled the projection screen and froze in place. Above the frozen recording, the fragment in my hand magnified enormously. That very portion inscribed with “Restore.”
“I spent all last night wrestling with the command to restore.”
“….”
“I wonder what the great ones truly wish for me to restore, and how.”
“….”
“The problem is that a penalty applies to me. Because of the constraint that whatever I plan becomes distorted, I’m extraordinarily cautious lest even my own deliberation adversely affect the ‘restoration.'”
Sounds of indrawn breath echoed from various directions. One of the creators within the spheres made a gesture of strong protest, but Perenustus paid no attention.
“So after much consideration, I resolved yesterday to cease the act of deliberation entirely. Moving without plan, simply as impulse dictates—I deemed this the wisest course. Therefore—”
Perenustus bowed toward the spheres he had long ignored.
“The discussion regarding what constitutes the ideal perfection of flawless democracy, and whether intervention in another creator’s world without mutual consultation should be permitted under the guise of research lectures….”
Perenustus deliberately trailed off, his gaze sweeping slowly across the six spheres.
“I entrust to my esteemed peers to address in my stead. Originally, research lectures included such reflection and evaluation as a complete set. By principle.”
The creators within the spheres, frozen by bewilderment, suddenly lifted their heads toward the status window in the sky. In response, it blazed to life.
▶ [Observation Alert] Research Lecture Concludes!
The First and Third Beings consent to the creator’s assertion!
The Second, Fifth, and Eleventh Beings rage!
The Fourth Being observes the created ones!
The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Twelfth Beings urge a vote!
World Restoration and Compensation: In Favor 7 / Against 5
“What meaning does a vote hold now? The great ones surely drew a circle yesterday.”
Perenustus lifted a pointer and tapped the bottom line of the floating status window in empty air.
“Recall that memory. Unless you wish me to display that data here before our students.”
Such was the razor-sharp fury that the trembling resonance surrounding us carried a palpable, acrid sting. After that vibration swept past, the status window vanished without a trace. The students, entranced by the flickering display, barely moved their eyes toward the spheres resting at Perenustus’s feet.
“Very well. I understand your intent clearly.”
The first to speak from within the sphere was a man with long, dark blue-black hair streaming about him. As if imprisonment within the transparent sphere were unbearably shameful, he had been pounding the wall roughly with his fist, and now he continued speaking with his knuckles pressed against the sphere’s surface.
“In my world, non-interference in martial affairs is fundamental, so I offer you specially—”
“Oh, how generous. You mean to say you’ll directly implement the foundational framework of your world—one where social hierarchy exists only nominally—into mine?”
Perenustus cut off his words and began speaking as he pleased.
“No, I absolutely never meant—”
“Of course, even if you did, it would be closer to a correction than a true restoration.”
“….”
“It would be impolite to refuse a peer’s goodwill. I gratefully accept. Everyone, shall we offer applause to the one who courageously made the first proposal?”
Perenustus raised his white-gloved hand. Following his lead, applause erupted throughout the Auditorium. The master of the Academy was transforming his own students into both witnesses and accomplices to an extortion in real time.
‘No… even if I resolved to proceed recklessly without plan, is this truly right?’
-If it doesn’t fit, what can they do? They drew the circle themselves.
Perenustus, who had shot into my mind, elegantly clapped his white-gloved hands before gesturing toward the long-haired man as if he’d just remembered something.
“Moreover, this fellow here is none other than our pride—the Creator of the Martial Arts World where Bilateia once studied. Sending us such an excellent student has been an enormous help to our Academy.”
Bilateia reflexively lifted the corners of her mouth and offered a graceful bow. Perenustus, having thoroughly provoked her, promptly shifted his gaze to the woman clad entirely in golden armor.
“And that friend within the sphere, resplendent in radiant armor, is the Creator of the Adventure World—a realm whose essence most closely mirrors my own.”
The Golden Armor Creator met Perenustus’s gaze boldly from within the sphere, arms crossed. Perenustus glanced briefly at Leonas Hagpethar Yuletanis before turning his smile back toward the Golden Armor Creator.
“Yes, sovereign of the world most accustomed to transformation. What assistance do you intend to offer in the restoration of my realm?”
At his question—polite enough to sound like mockery—the Golden Armor Creator laughed crookedly.
“Is the restoration of your world such a trivial matter that you speak of it so casually in this place?”
“I don’t recall saying anything of the sort.”
“Your actions speak for themselves—pressuring students who haven’t even completed their studies to produce results.”
“That seems rather premature an assumption, doesn’t it?”
Perenustus faced the woman pressing him without so much as a flicker of expression. Only after the Golden Armor Creator exchanged glances with the other Creators did she speak again.
“I wish to establish a more comprehensive and detailed restoration plan. I shall consult with my peers and present it to you as an official document within a reasonable timeframe. See that you understand.”
Perenustus turned his body toward the students.
“Did you hear that? This scene before you contains two lessons you’ll use throughout your lives. First: postpone crises when you can. Second: when postponing crises, documentation is your greatest excuse.”
Perenustus gestured toward the students.
“I look forward to our students properly demonstrating to other worlds just how many days ‘within a reasonable timeframe’ truly means.”
“Days, you say?”
“Ah, so it’s measured in hours, then?”
….
“Truly, I have only the most reliable peers. Perhaps because I’m moving forward with my mind completely blank and no plan whatsoever, they support me so dependably. It puts my heart at ease.”
Perhaps the words “utterly bewildered” were written across my forehead. Bilateia leaned close enough that her lips nearly brushed my ear as she whispered.
“She’s threatening to show you what mindless chaos looks like if you don’t restore things as quickly as possible.”
“Ah… I wondered what she meant.”
Unlike me, the Golden Armor Creator seemed to have understood immediately without needing translation from her peer.
“I shall respond with all haste to meet your expectations.”
The Golden Armor Creator let out a scoff, then snapped her fingers. Golden rain began to fall over the landscape that had seemed merely pretty and hollow, like a vapid fairy tale. The already surreal vista became even more dreamlike as golden droplets of light joined the unrealistically beautiful paradise Perenustus had imposed.
“Observe? Now the fools in your world will begin to understand the necessity of order and rules for the greater good. Before we conclude our discussion, witness what the creatures you created can accomplish of their own accord.”
The Golden Armor Creator spoke. Perenustus nodded as if in earnest, then snapped his fingers. Six spheres blazed in unison, tumbling the Creators within them about before vanishing unceremoniously.
“Surely you’ve now grasped that intervention in another Creator’s world without mutual consent is absolutely forbidden. Haven’t you?”
Perenustus, left alone on the platform, muttered as if mocking a fool in someone else’s house. The Ancient Gods, who easily recognized that his rebuke was directed at themselves, merely flickered their status windows once more before disappearing entirely. Perenustus waved his hand gently toward the fading window, savoring his satisfying victory.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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