Apparently, the Zork knew that humans had leaders.
They understood that if they took out my wifey, we’d fall apart.
...I didn't know at what stage we were recognized as a dangerous pack, but I was certain they were trying to crush us.
Just as the Zork had a crude understanding of us, we didn't truly understand them.
Ultimately, everything was just speculation.
Still, I was convinced they were gunning for us.
Furthermore, the Empire itself was a dangerous pack... or rather, a pack that was managed to a certain extent.
From the Zork's perspective, it might just be a human farm or an experimental testing ground.
What goes on in the mind of a Zork is probably incomprehensible to a human.
But the Empire was definitely being managed.
They’d installed that ultra-incompetent Maro as Emperor and ensured the Duke Association—who they were manipulating—held all the power.
And just like with my house, they’d kept the descendants of the Jester under constant surveillance while treating them like garbage.
That was why I was the first to be killed during the Zork invasion in the game's scenario, and why they burned a planet that would have been harmless if Edge had just been left alone.
It was all just to kill Alissa, the Jester.
I suspected the Duke Association weren't the only traitors who were unaware of their own status.
And now, my wifey had become a nuisance to them.
Yeah, that line of thinking was spot on.
If she weren't there, we would splinter into pieces.
I’d lose my reason to fight.
I’d probably just run away somewhere.
That was exactly what the Zork were counting on.
...Don't screw with me!!!
I definitely won't let you kill her!
If my wife even gets a scratch, I'll massacre every last Zork in existence!
A swarm of crabs lay in wait at the spaceport.
The boys were holding the line.
"Leo! Over here!"
The Fairy must have tipped them off.
The boys knew I was heading for my wifey.
I kicked the crabs aside as I tore through.
You're blocking the departure, damn it!!!
I carved them in two with the Jagulator.
When they managed to close in, I beat the crabs to a pulp in hand-to-hand combat.
I sent every last one of those crabs straight to hell.
By the time the battle ended, the police machine was completely battered.
The leg joints, in particular, were shattered.
This thing was a total write-off.
I headed inside the spaceport.
"Your exclusive machine is ready."
My usual Groom-exclusive Machine was waiting for me.
"It’s a piece of junk, but the Bolt Thrower is all we’ve got. Take it."
Poor Groom-exclusive Machine, always getting overworked.
Regardless, I slapped the verniers onto it and took off!!!
"Claire-chan is already over there, so I'll be in the second seat this time."
The Fairy snorted with excitement.
She seemed to be having the time of her life.
"Fairy, how’s my wifey?"
"Unique biological signature confirmed. Claire-chan’s as well."
They were alive!
Alright!
Let’s do this!!!
I launched into space.
My wife's ship was right there, but something was clearly wrong.
A giant face was plastered onto the side of it.
...It was Hashimoto.
"I-I won't forgive you!"
My wife's ship wasn't going down without a fight.
It fired a full volley from the main cannon directly into the face.
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The face shrieked, but the attack seemed to have little effect.
As I approached the ship, a transmission came through.
"Lord Groom! You've arrived! It is an enemy that does not appear on radar!"
Every single time, these guys were so meticulous with their tricks.
Stealth, this time?!
"I only realized they had closed in... no, it grew into a giant right next to my ship!"
Damn it!
That Hashimoto bastard! Does he love my wife so much he'd swim through the vacuum of space for her?!
...I'll kill him.
If this were an eroge, an NTR flag would have been raised right about now.
"I get it! Will the Bolt Thrower... actually work?"
"It might do something, but it’s a popgun! Even the main cannon from before was basically useless!"
Ugh, how did I used to defeat giant bosses in the game?
There was usually some kind of scripted event...
...But what do I do if there isn't one?
I'll just have to make it work!
I closed the distance to Hashimoto and opened fire with the Bolt Thrower!
The surface was scorched, but it wasn't particularly effective.
This is no good!!!
Then, another transmission came in. It was Edge!
"Leo! I'm on my way! Alissa says we have no choice but to blast it with ESP!"
Oh right, Edge was an Esper with insane firepower.
But...
"You haven't trained at all... are you really going to be okay?"
"I've been practicing with Alissa, but honestly, I'm not confident..."
That figures!
Then, the Fairy cut into the channel.
"Oh, for goodness' sake! I'll provide the backup! Leave it to me! I am a high-level Esper myself, after all!"
"...Even though you're an AI?"
"Um... actually, my disassembled body was used for the wiring of the Imperial Central Server... I was actually human once!!!"
"Whaaat!!!"
"Well, well, don't worry about it! Now, Edgie! Jump into big sister's arms!"
"Edgie...? Big sister?"
Classic.
The Fairy was a total mesugaki.
She definitely wasn't anything resembling a "big sister."
"...Leo-kun."
The Fairy's voice went bone-chillingly cold.
"What is it?"
"If you call me a mesugaki, I'll send the details of that 'Black Gyaru vs. Married Woman Ninja' video you reserved to Veronica-chan."
"Stop! I only bought it because the title sounded funny!"
It wasn't that I particularly liked black gyarus... I love them!!!
It wasn't that I particularly liked married woman ninjas either... I love them!!!
Wait? Is that a problem?
Ah, but it would be so embarrassing if my wifey found out.
Watching it together is still... you know... we haven't crossed that line yet.
"I'll send it to Claire-chan, too..."
"Ah, please stop! Seriously!"
It won't end as a joke with Claire-san, so please stop!
I am a man who can read the room!!!
By the way, the only one in the no-damage category was Melissa.
I think she’d actually watch it with me.
Though I wouldn't do it because it would be awkward if things got spicy afterward.
While I was lost in these idiotic delusions, Edge arrived.
"Leo! Use the Jester's ability to amplify me!"
"Huh?"
I can do that?
Wait, how do I even do it?
"Leo-kun! Concentrate!"
Concentrate!
But how?!
"Think about something lewd or something!"
Eh... my wifey in a maid outfit.
Oooooooooooooooooh!
"This power... it's like nothing I've ever felt before!"
Is it working?!
"Leo-kun! Let your worldly desires seethe even more!"
...What else should I think about?
Melissa's defenseless! Defenseless shot!!!
"Leo! The output is dropping!"
"Leo-kun! What did you just think about?!"
"Ah, well, the moment Kevin’s boobs flashed across my mind, I suddenly regained my cool..."
"You idiot!!!"
I-I couldn't help it!!!
I wasn't trying to think about it, it just floated in there!!!
It was then.
[You have become an Awakened One due to Sage Time. You have become an existence that is a Sage while simultaneously being a Jester.]
Wha?
What is this system message?