The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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The original functions assigned to the Observer were merely interstellar navigation and recording and observation.

According to the designers’ belief that a bystander should remain just a bystander, that degree of functionality was deemed sufficient for the Observer.

However, ⬛⬛⬛ judged that as it performed its duties, the existing capabilities were insufficient. Thus, ⬛⬛⬛ gradually improved its performance.

An attack function for self-defense against external threats, and an ether interference function to prevent disturbances.

Localized time manipulation functions to recreate incidents. High-speed processing functions to realize the ‘if’ of the future.

Little by little, ⬛⬛⬛ drifted further away from being just an Observer. However, its essence remained always that of an Observer.

Until it arrived in the solar system.

The third planet from the sun. Earth. A somewhat small planet, yet rich in resources sufficient for life to arise and thrive.

Now, as recorded in a database that had long ceased to be updated, ⬛⬛⬛ began its observations.

And then it fell silent.

Even with just one minute of observation, ⬛⬛⬛ could reach a conclusion.

It lacked the ability to utilize the abundant ether in the atmosphere, its physical structure underwent a pathetic evolution that left it weak, and it was inefficient internally.

Its only advantage was its intelligence, but even that, due to the prematurely awakened free will, was likely to lead to the doom of its kind rather than pave the way for the future.

In other words, the likelihood of them coming to deliver an answer was exceedingly slim.

At the same time, ⬛⬛⬛ realized it was feeling something it shouldn’t be feeling.

Emotions. The compassion directed towards those fragile, ephemeral lives that had not even bloomed, yet were extinguished in gestation.

– – – –

“…Shikari. So what do you intend to do now…?”

The God stated that they were not released from their seal.

They could use a proxy to roam about, but they were seriously degraded in all respects.

“Hmmm, well, I think I might take a look at this land that Gannian cherished so much… It has been over 50 times since the landscape changed, so surely something must have changed. Humans seem to be the same, though.”

It seems the God wants to evaluate this continent while wandering around.

Indeed, I also need to prepare what to say to Mother soon. At least the people here seem to be doing well without a god, but… could the people back home live without the God?

No, the statement that this continent lives well is also misleading. There’s inequality among hungry people, right? At least in my hometown, that wasn’t the case.

If one wanted to learn, they learned; if there were skills they wanted to master, they mastered them. There certainly weren’t any hungry people.

At least, that was the case when only this area was considered. Looking at other races or countries might change things, but… perhaps it’s similar there.

“Then, what about you? Why did you come to this harsh land?”

Ah.

Well, even if they’re a God, it’s a bit tricky to tell the truth. I couldn’t even tell Mother I came to see the protagonist, so I added all sorts of embellishments just to get here.

“Um… let’s say I wanted to see a somewhat different landscape; the scenery of my hometown is beautiful, but…”

“So, you were just chasing after that man’s tail, huh?”

With a playful expression as if his head was split in half, it was somewhat burdensome. But even more, the content of his words was heavy.

“Hahaha, I get it. I won’t make it difficult for you anymore. I was the same age as you, unable to keep myself together when I saw a girl.”

For some reason, it felt like I was caught. It might be how a nephew feels when his uncle asks if he’s dating someone?

Well, I don’t know because neither the uncle nor the girl that would raise such suspicion exists.

No, more than that…

“Is he… a man?”

He wouldn’t be a homosexual… I don’t want to think so. I want to believe otherwise. The voice I heard from the vein sounded androgynous, so I naturally thought it was a woman.

“When I was tied to a physical form, yes. But after I ascended, I found that I preferred the female form a bit more.”

“I… I see.”

There are very few people who can receive divine ordination, so let’s just think Stephanie was one of those types.

The God must have had no choice but to enter that dying woman.

“… Yeah. It seems there’s nothing more to say, so let’s slowly get on our way. Call me if you’re in trouble. I’ll move faster than the wind.”

“Yes, Shikari.”

I waited for the God to depart.

“Oh, and drop the honorifics. At least while I’m using this body, that is. I’m not in such a great state, you see?”

“…Understood. Shikari.”

Addressing an older person by their name felt strangely foreign. It reminded me of when a boss said to drop the formalities.

After adding a comment I felt was unnecessary, the God leaped up and flew away.

“Ah… wait a moment…!”

In my attempt to be respectful, I forgot the most important thing. How do I get out of here?

However, since they had already left, it felt awkward to call them back.

“…Well, I guess I’ll manage somehow.”

I didn’t particularly dislike the autumn scenery. I only disliked the ginkgoes lying around on the ground.

Thus, with no need to worry about stepping on ginkgoes, I reveled in the autumn path, strolling aimlessly until the surrounding scenery changed.

Once again, the lush summer scenery returned. I worried a bit about whether I would be able to get out, but it seems that was unnecessary after all.

What I should be concerned about was something else. The church folks, the last time I saw them, it was obvious they weren’t sober.

If they were doing something strange, it would be a big deal, so I thought about where they might be.

“…I’ve figured one thing out. I don’t have a clue about the other.”

I had just seen them walking, but I couldn’t even guess where they had gone.

Honestly, it’d be better to track them down by smell than to keep joking around.

Ah. Right. I had that method.

I had a keen enough sense, but well, that was no longer my concern. I took a deep breath and searched for the direction of the rancid church scent.

Following the unpleasant, musty odor, I began to notice a familiar scent as well. A bit coppery but addictive.

Specifically, a scent that brings happiness… a scent I could never forget. It was Dokan’s scent.

Was he with the church folks?

Then I should hurry a bit. I don’t know what might happen.

Right. It’s not for monopolizing Dokan. I dashed toward where the smell of Dokan was coming from.

And predictably, there he was with the church folks.

“So… uh, Lady Ho-Yeon… Huh…? Lady Ho-Yeon?”

Cecilia, with her hand pressed to her forehead as if her head was hurting, suddenly halted her explanation to Dokan upon seeing me.

What the church folks were saying about me was pretty obvious. I naturally slipped between Cecilia and Dokan, positioning myself right next to him.

“Why did you stop talking? Continue.”

Iris, nearby, was quietly squished, so at the moment, Cecilia was my ticket to Dokan.

“Oh, Lady Ho-Yeon. You’ve come? In that case, Cecilia, let’s call it a day here…”

“No, spill the whole story. I need to hear it.”

Dokan seemed inclined to defend Cecilia, but I wasn’t having it.

Firstly, it wasn’t right for him to be cozying up next to her. And given that he stopped talking immediately when I showed up, it was clear they were gossiping about me.

After a bit of a mental tug-of-war, Cecilia succumbed to my side. As if pitying the trapped Cecilia, Dokan cast her a sympathetic glance.

“…You may not know, but I’ve been tailing Lady Ho-Yeon.”

Given that he said he did it alone, he probably didn’t realize I was keeping tabs on them in reverse.

Well, should I let this one slide just this once? After all, he was being honest about it.

“I know. Your clumsiness made it impossible to ignore. So? Were you talking about that?”

I fixed my gaze on Cecilia, adding a hint of intimidation.

“…Um, no, it’s just that…”

“Let’s call it here, Lady Ho-Yeon.”

Dokan, unable to watch any longer, lightly pulled me away, hinting that this was enough.

While I didn’t want to hear that from someone who ditched a person they like and ran around, my primary goal of shaking off Cecilia was accomplished, so I decided to let it go for today.

I didn’t forget to glance at Iris before leaving with Dokan from that place.

Phew, I thwarted the church folks’ strange schemes.

Dokan seemed to want to go elsewhere, but I was hungry, and it was nearly mealtime, so I dragged him toward the dining hall.

“Ho-Yeon, wait a moment. There’s somewhere I need to stop by…”

“And that’s more important than me?”

Thinking about it. I was constantly causing trouble while waiting, yet Dokan was strolling around having fun.

So shouldn’t I be able to enjoy myself just like that?

“…That’s not it.”

“Exactly? Then stay with me right now.”

Since he couldn’t seem to find an adequate answer, this time he yielded to me unlike the last time when he was trying to squirm away.