Using the pirates for harassment was proving steadily effective.
In the process, I reached out to the pirates who weren't my subordinates and offered to evacuate their families. While dying alone might fit the pirate aesthetic, their families were a different story. I decided to take them into Chronos, figuring they could find work in the Pirate Guild’s legitimate companies.
It wasn’t exactly a rational choice—just a bit of consideration. A purely rational decision isn’t always the right one. Even if they were beings destined for eventual destruction, I was making use of them; the least I could do was offer a bit of mercy or consideration.
As it turned out, they were more grateful than I had anticipated. I’d prepared myself for resentful comments like, “You’re the one who destroyed the Pirate Guild!” but instead, they told me with tears in their eyes, “We have lived in this land since ancient times. It’s only natural for the men to perish... but the women and brats have nothing to do with this. Great Leader, sir, we thank you.”
In short, being part of the opposition didn’t necessarily make them my enemies. Even the groups who made a living off drug trafficking often hailed from harsh lands where farmers could grow nothing else. While some chose to perish with their families, most opted to evacuate them to Chronos.
We were the same in the sense that we had fought to protect our homes. Those from noble families tied to their land probably found the situation particularly heart-wrenching. The constraints of being a local lord were a familiar struggle for everyone, so they were all quite sympathetic.
It wasn’t likely that Parcion would strike immediately, but I wanted as many of them as possible to survive. As for Parcion itself, they were naturally condescending, saying things like, “You uneducated pirates, relocate from the countryside to the Frontier Settlements,” or “I shall give you unlearned sorts a chance.”
The kicker was... they actually thought they were negotiating. Can you believe it? I knew that speaking from the worldview of the central elite would only breed resentment. Even a Village Boy like me could see it! I could see them earning antipathy and grudges in real-time. I could see the pirates resolving to fight to the last man!
Anyway, that was the dark news. On a brighter note, Claire came to deliver a report. She was all smiles—a smile I wanted to protect.
“We’re holding the finals for the All-Universe Pro-wrestling Tournament next month!”
The pro-wrestling circuit had been touring various planets, and a champion was finally about to be crowned. Unlike soccer, baseball, or martial arts, they received almost no government subsidies. Maybe just the venue rental? Thanks to Master Tank and Master Zaurus, who both had experience as freelancers, the venture had turned a profit in no time.
Honestly, they were incredible. They found sponsors themselves, negotiated with broadcasting stations, and even managed to arrange a Pay-per-view. They’d quickly secured venues on local planets by negotiating with influential figures. Being able to hold matches in a gymnasium or a supermarket parking lot was a real strength.
So that’s why Claire-chan had been so quiet lately!
“Sure thing. Where’s the venue?”
“The palace garden.”
She called it a garden, but it was actually the national park adjacent to the palace. It belonged to the state, not to me. The palace grounds were just way too vast to begin with.
“Fine, approved. Just be careful when you set off the skyrockets.”
“Oka~y! ♪”
Even though it was “next door,” it was incredibly far away, so noise in the middle of the night wouldn’t be an issue. If anything, I felt like we should all go watch.
I just had to make sure they managed the fire properly. Seriously. It would be no joke if a fire started there and the whole “Burning Capital” thing became a reality.
“Increase the disaster prevention staff. Seriously, watch out for fires.”
“Yeah, good point. Increasing disaster prevention staff...”
Claire sent out the order.
Hmm... my intuition was tingling for some reason. It didn’t feel like an assassination attempt on me, but rather like some incredibly pathetic incident was about to occur.
“Let's increase the police, too.”
“Is that... perhaps your intuition?”
“Yeah.”
“This is bad! This is Claire! Rikochi, Leo’s intuition has kicked in!”
With a thundering stomp-stomp-stomp, Full Armor Rikochi arrived.
“Was it Leo-kun’s intuition!?”
“Yeah! Here, Leo, explain!”
“At first, I just felt like there might be a fire. You know, I’d hate for a fire to start in the garden and lead to a burning capital... wait, Claire, you’ve gone pale...”
This was why I didn’t want to explain. Everyone’s trust in my intuition was borderline cultish.
“T-This is terrible... Rikochi...”
“C-Claire-chan... this is a disaster...”
“T-The tournament is canceled!”
“Ah—about that. I was thinking, but I feel like taking that option might lead to something even worse...”
“Waaaaaaaah! Isono-kun! Nakajima-kun! Leo-kun’s intuition! Eddy-kun, come here right now!”
Rikochi hurriedly called for the men.
“No, it’s just a feeling...”
“You’ve been saved by it so many times, haven't you!?” Rikochi scolded me in a dead-serious tone.
“Leo’s Intuition Alert! Everyone assemble in the dining hall! This is not a drill! I repeat...”
Claire made a grave announcement over the PA system. Look, I’m saying it’s not like it’s always right...
“Leo’s intuition has predicted the burning capital. I repeat. Leo’s intuition has predicted the burning capital...”
The place turned into an absolute uproar. A massive number of messages arrived from the parliament demanding an explanation. No matter how many times I said it was an intuition and not a prophecy...
The Imperial Guard Knight Order entered the room and escorted me to the dining hall. The military deployed guards, and helicopters circled overhead.
“No, I told you, it’s an intuition, not a prophecy! Listen to me!”
“Leo’s intuition is far too accurate!”
My intuition... was it more trusted than I was? Isn't that weird?
And so, I was hauled off to the dining hall. There, I was surrounded by the guys and subjected to an interrogation. A desk light was shone directly into my eyes.
“Hey, that’s bright!”
“Talk! What did you see!?”
“The burning capital.”
“...This is a disaster.”
The guys started frantically drafting a security plan. The military would probably be fully mobilized at this rate.
Wifey, who had been sleeping, walked in while rubbing her eyes.
“What is it...? I was sleeping...” She was nodding off, swaying back and forth.
“Leo’s intuition says the capital will burn.”
“Waaaaaaaah! Deploy security immediately!”
Wifey’s eyes snapped wide open.
I was completely left behind. Everyone went into a meeting.
“Here, Leo-kun, some katsudon.”
“Thanks.”
Kevin had made me some katsudon. Ren poured some tea for me.
Seriously, what was I even supposed to do now?