Prologue ─ Warship type Zero

Aster Supreme Kingdom. A nation founded by seven families, known as the Seven Aristocratic Families, but as time passed they became only six. The Six Great Nobles.

In the office of one of those great nobles, stood a very angry man.

His stature was medium as his belly, messy green hair because he was going bald and tried to hide it. His eyes were brown, some of his teeth were missing and also yellow.

He was the head of the Herring Household. Randy Zaja Herring, a great noble.

He was grumpy. His greasy food was ingested almost as if it were a pig doing it.

"Damn, damn you all!"

Multiple luscious plates of food and several bottles of wine were strewn about the room.

Randy was chewing on a hamburger, spitting out food scraps as he spoke.

"That Randolf is guilty of everything. Because he's so permissive with that shitty brat, we're the laughing stock of the nation and the world."

Earlier this year, a foreign student by the name of Rudel came to this country to study. He got into trouble with sons of the great nobles.

Normally this would have ended badly for Rudel. But he got his way, not only defeating them, he also ridiculed them in such a way that rumors began to spread like...

"Hey, don't you think great nobles are weak?"

"I would say they are incompetent. They were defeated by an uneducated peasant."

"I heard that he even mocked in their faces and got paid for it."

All those rumors made Randy angry. Their latest problem involved the priestess. The ultimate existence important to this country.

But Rudel not only got her, he also became the guardian.

"Fucking brat! Making fun of us! Making fun of me, a great noble!"

"Relax, dad."

"Don't tell me to relax, Doug!

He said after throwing some food at a young man sitting at a table.

The young man was also eating, only his manner was disgusting.

He was taking every bite of food with his hands, including those that included spoons.

His mouth was covered with a layer of grease which discolored his skin.

His appearance was identical to Randy, because he was his eldest son and heir, Douglas Zaja Herring, the last capture target of this new game content.

Douglas was similar to him, with the difference of having freckles on his face and a ridiculous haircut.

His double chin was even bigger than his father's.

Douglas said after popping a triple-rib burger into his mouth which he then downed with a carbonated beverage.

"Dad, don't be mad, your hair will fall out more."

"Don't talk nonsense, Doug, I'm angry about our current situation!"

"Current?"

His son asked ignorantly.

"That's right. Because of that shitty brat and Randolf, our house has the worst influence. Our rank according to social classes is that of a duke, but now we're on the same level as a filthy country baron."

Douglas spat out of surprise to hear that.

"I-Impossible! Dad, you must do something! I don't want to rule a land that's the same as a baron's!"

"I know. Our relatives have even complained to me, demanding that I take matters into my own hands or they will rebel against me."

"Do you have plans on how to regain our original status?"

"For what do you take me for. Of course I have one!"

Randy exclaimed after standing up, making his stomach jump with joy.

Holding his finger to his mouth he said...

"I plan to kill two birds with one stone. Getting Randolf to give me back my influence and getting revenge on that Kingdom brat."

"I don't get it?

"You're lucky you're my eldest son unlike that idiot nuisance. Look, what I'm planning is..."

With a wicked grin, Randy further dug his own grave.

"Steal that brat's airship. Being a Lost Item, it must be worth a fortune. I'll give it to Randolf as a gift after copying everything inside it!"

"The glory of the Herring Household will come back upgraded, gyahahahaha!

Douglas applauded at his father's poor plan.

"Oh, dad you're awesome! I'm sure you'll pull it off... but how exactly will you do it?"

"You said the Acting Chairman has some sort of favoritism for that peasant, right"

"Wouldn't he get mad if you pitied him?"

Randy wiped his nose implying that he predicted that.

"I took precautions of that, hey you, come in."

The door opened and a servant came in.

"Yes, my lord."

"Go to where those fellows are."

"Those fellows?"

"Yes, the subjects that we let them stay in the harbor they are still repairing. Give the leader this letter."

"Understood. I will go immediately."

"I withdraw."

Douglas watched the servant leave, asked his father about the contents of the letter.

"Dad, what was that letter?"

"You don't have to worry about that. More importantly, our food will get cold, let's eat."

When they were about to eat again.

*Steps*

They were interrupted by a servant who entered after opening the door without permission rudely.

"M-My lord, something incredible has happened!"

"You idiot! How dare you enter my chambers without knocking! I'll have you and your son's head cut off!"

The servant apologized, but still turned to Randy.

"I-I'm so sorry, it won't happen again, but... something big has happened in the territory!"

"Something big?"

Randy asked very intrigued. While the servant said something, that nobody expected.

"A mysterious Armed Unit in almost perfect condition has been found! You must see it right away! W-We think it's a Lost Item!"

Randy's eyes widened like saucers after hearing that news.

"W-What's that?! D-Doug, get cleaned up quick and let's go!"

After a while of cleaning his buttery body, the three of them quickly left the place.

◇◇◇

The academy of Aster Supreme Kingdom entered the autumn vacation period.

A girl named "Diana Algrand" whose real name is Diantha Liz Vermillion, used the autumn vacation to challenge a certain dungeon.

Her hair was violet with pigtails, her eyes were amber and her breasts were small. She looked just like Lucy, but having it on the back of her head made all the difference.

The two are twin sisters and are certainly similar, but there are differences as far as they can be distinguished.

And Lucy's sister Diana is a reincarnated one.

"Here. It's here. I've seen it."

She was carrying a large backpack with her mud-stained clothes.

She had a pickaxe in her hand, and you could tell by her appearance that she had a hard time getting here.

She seemed to have overexerted herself and her breath was weak.

It was her companion "Zack Noctis Wayne" who was worried about Diana.

"Hey, are you all right? It's not good to overdo what you're not used to doing."

"Don't worry. I'll manage... to make it."

"Fumm~... However, I'm surprised you knew how to get here."

Zack was a young man with dark bluish-white hair, it was pulled back to the side and the front with a spiky style that covered part of his eye. Those eyes were dark crimson like clotted blood, he possessed piercings in both ears. He had healthy looking pale skin.

He was thin, tall and muscular.

A young man who is the exact opposite of Diana's fiancé, "Lugh Eliol Lunor".

There's a reason she entered the dungeon with Zack.

When Zack looked around, the roots of the sacred tree spread everywhere.

The tree roots were intertwined through the metal wall.

They came to a place that looked like a passageway, but many of the doors would not open.

The door itself was distorted and the tree roots covered the room.

Zack held the flashlight in his left hand and illuminated the surrounding area.

"There's a dungeon just below the Sacred Tree. Diana, isn't that a great discovery?"

The two of them were in a place just below the Sacred Tree.

That is, they were in a subway known as a dungeon.

Diana drank water from a bottle and wiped her mouth with her sleeves.

There was no quiet figure there, and no luxury to worry about either.

"Keep it a secret. It'll become a nuisance when others come in. Besides... Zack, are you listening to me?"

Diana looked at Zack, who is smiling at her.

Zack laughed gleefully.

"Don't be mad. But you're okay after all."

"Hah?"

(What are you saying in this scene?)

While Diana was having trouble reacting, Zack started to walk.

He walked in front of Diana.

"I was talking about how you're fine without decorations."

"Anyway, I'm insensitive."

Judging that she didn't like Zack's comments, Diana made a bad face.

However, she was thinking about the future inside her heart.

(Rudel found Ixion in the Altfode Kingdom, so there must be one like him in the Supreme Kingdom.)

Just like Rudel discovered Ixion in Altfode Kingdom, there was a cheat class item in this otome game-themed RPG game like that certain game... which was located in the Supreme Kingdom.

This was a paid item like Ixion.

(It must be there. If it's not, I'll be in trouble. Without it, I can't be on equal footing with Rudel.)

Diana was afraid of the cheat item called Ixion that Rudel was carrying. If Ixion got serious, he could sink even the continent where the Aster Supreme Kingdom is located.

Hearing such stories, she could not feel relieved.

Therefore, she also decided to collect a cheat item.

She could not collect it completely alone.

However, despite being an aristocrat, she arrived here with the help of Zack, who is a reliable adventurer.

The reason Diana is with Zack is due to what happened a year ago. It was the introduction event to Zack the capture target, Diana was left waiting at the port for him to show up and bring her sister who was nearby for a limited food event.

In the harbor there were a large number of people, but none of them were Zack, so Diana went out to look for him... as the hours passed she found Zack under his own boat. Apparently he had tried to leave the country from somewhere other than the harbor so that no one would catch him.

She helped him, resulting in that being his secret for the past year.

Diana walked down a dark passage.

Often tree roots tangled around her feet, and Zack stopped them each time.

"Do you want to get some rest?"

"I-I'm fine. Just a little more to go. So I'll continue this way."

The trap object was just ahead.

(The memory of when I was playing this otome-themed game.)

(Just a little bit more. Yes, it should be behind this door.)

What they saw in front of them was a very large metal door.

Diana entered the password in the operations panel.

(Good thing I remember the number.)

As she entered the password she remembered, the door responded.

The door opened awkwardly with difficulty, there was a very large space extending beyond that.

Zack turned his surprised face to Diana.

"Did you know how to open the door?"

"I know a lot of things. Well, come on."

Diana shone a flashlight on the other side of the door, and beyond that she saw some huge tree roots.

It's wider than what you see on the game screen.

Diana started looking for an airship── No, a spaceship.

The large space was a landing dock.

In the past, many weapons of the old humans may have lined up here.

Now, all the destroyed and decayed spaceships were lined up.

Zack was excited.

"This is incredible! Diana, this is a great discovery! If we report this, we'll go down in history."

In addition to discovering new ruins, ancient relics also appeared as a mountain.

Zack was delighted by the fact that he was an adventurer.

Diana, however, was different.

"There are more incredible things. Follow me."

Diana, who kept pulling Zack along, noticed something ahead of the intended location.

When she turned the flashlight to the wall, something was buried there.

Something that looked like a human was entangled in the roots of a tree.

"Is this... an Armor?"

She had never seen it in the game.

(No, though I don't have some recollection of this, it may be one of the payoff items.)

However, to Diana, this RPG game otome related to weapons was not very impressive.

Rather, she thought parts like adventure and war were in the way.

Zack approached the armor.

"It's not in bad shape, but it was shot in the torso. This, I'm guessing the guy inside died instantly."

Hearing Zack's story, Diana suddenly panicked.

"Maybe the pilot's soul could be wandering around here."

Just thinking about it, this place suddenly felt like a spiritual place.

"S-Stop it!"

"I'm not interested in robots, but. Because the condition is good, would you like to take it home? However, it's a black, spiky armor. Was this the conventional armor of the past? Also, it's quite large."

It was bigger than the general armor in this world.

Diana looked at that armor and imagined a similar one.

"... Huh? This is similar to Battler."

"Battler? I've heard of that from officials. I think it... meant, warrior?"

"Huh? Is that so?"

Hearing the meaning of Battler, Diana had an indescribable emotion toward Rudel.

(Does he have an eighth-grade disease? Normally, would you call your Armor a warrior? It sounds very barbaric the name.)

While she was thinking about that, she was looking at the armor entangled in the roots of a tree.

Then, Diana's spine went cold.

"W-What is this? This armor...it's scary."

She took a step back in fear, but was curious as to why Zack was excited.

"Diana, give it to me. I'll decorate it even if I can't wear it."

In a moment, Diana rejected Zack's opinion.

She refused his request.

It wasn't something she had to consider.

"No! Hey, hurry up and let's go."

"Ah, hey!"

She grabbed Zack's arm and forced him forward.

Zack showed some resistance, but when Diana grabbed him he calmed down.

The two walked with their arms crossed.

Then, they came in sight of a very large spacecraft.

This one had a simple angular shape, but it was entangled in tree roots.

The paint on the hull looked greenish blue with several areas on the front that were green.

This was a dock with a battered spacecraft lined up, and only that spacecraft was still beautiful.

Zack looked up at the spacecraft as he was amazed.

"There was an amazing airship like this in ancient times? I can't believe it's better than today's technology."

As she listened to those impressions, Diana corrected him her mind.

(Not so. This is a spaceship─ no, a space battleship.)

She tried to remember the configuration of that annoying game, but now her memory was weak and she could only vaguely recall it.

(Ancient spaceship─── this has high performance as a warship and can fight.)

(It's an ancient weapon that couldn't compete with current technological capabilities, and considering the configuration, it's a substitute at about the same time as Ixion.)

(With this... I won't lose to Rudel.)

Diana started walking, leaving Zack staring at the warship.

When she left him, Zack chased after her.

Zack hurriedly put his hand on Diana's hand and moved it to put her behind him.

"They're coming!"

"Huh? W-What coming?"

Diana couldn't catch up with the momentary event, and when she realized it, Zack was punching the monster, attacking it with his bare hands.

The monsters hit on the ground emitted black smoke and disappeared.

(Did you hit the monster with your bare hands?)

Zack watched the disappearing monster as he flicked his right wrist. He held a spear with his left hand and began to bend his neck in front of the surrounding monsters in preparation.

It seemed that he could simply face the monsters.

"Nine, huh? Diana, stay behind me."

"C-Can you beat them, even though there are so many?"

Zack held up his spear and showed Diana a reliable back.

"It'll be easy!"

A one-sided battle began.

Every time Zack wielded a spear, the monster was slashed or pierced.

Zack, who has longed and trained as an adventurer, within the boys' target capture is the best in martial arts.

He easily defeated the monsters that appeared in the dungeon.

Diana felt a little sick when she saw that a monster bigger than Zack had its head destroyed by a powerful spear.

However, she was relieved to see Zack defeating a flying shark-like monster since she could not defeat them on her own.

(After all, it was right to have brought Zack along. Besides, he is strong. Zack may be stronger than Rudel.)

The adventurers' home is the Altfode Kingdom, Rudel and the others in the kingdom had a certain level of strength.

However, Diana could see that Zack would not lose to them.

Rather, she could see a reliable figure in front of her and Zack seemed stronger.

"That's it!"

Zack, who defeated the monsters, lightly confirmed that the monsters were gone and put away his spear.

Diana told Zack with surprise and enthusiasm her appreciation.

"Y-You, you were strong, I changed the way I look at you!"

"If you can't do this, you won't survive. did you fall in love?"

"No, but I changed my opinion of you. Thank you for protecting me, Zack."

Arguing teasingly, Diana felt the tense air diminish.

Zack looked back at the warship.

Diana shook her head and asked Zack, who was thinking.

"What happened?"

"No, I think it was pretty easy for us to get here despite the treasures there."

"You've been fighting hard so far! I thought I would die several times when I got here!"

For Diana, who is unfamiliar with adventures, it was a great adventure even if she fell beyond the path of instant death. Zack, on the other hand, felt unsatisfied.

"It's because we were able to move forward in a straight line. I was surprised because it was all too simple. You, did you know the treasure was this way?"

If she answered yes, she would be asked why she knew.

Diana gave some excuses she had thought of earlier.

"I didn't really think it was here, but I used to hear about it."

She told him she was also surprised and stood in front of the warship's entrance, avoiding Zack's pursuit.

Then, the door opened even though they did nothing.

Unlike the previous door, the opening and closing was smooth.

And a metal sphere was hovering above the door.

It was something the size of a softball and had a yellow lens at first glance.

This was floating at Diana's eye level.

Suddenly, Zack grabbed his weapon and jumped in front of Diana.

Zack held up a spear and yelled at Diana to take cover behind him.

"Diana, get back!"

Diana was relieved, however.

Because the one in front of her was a different color than Ixion.... this one was a dark purple sphere.

"Zack, stay calm. It's okay."

"Y-Yeah?"

Zack didn't let go of the weapon so he could fight back at any moment, wary of the purple sphere's movement.

Diana is convinced that there was not some hostility in front of her.

The reason is, if it is the same moving machine as Ixion, it is not suitable for battle.

"I want to talk."

When she spoke, the purple sphere spoke to her in a very bright tone.

"Hello, it's been a long time since a visit from some guests."

The soft electronic voice had a voice quality similar to that of men.

It was more emotional than Ixion.

Zack had a surprised look on his face, but Diana continued to speak firmly.

"I want this ship. I want to register as your Master."

She spoke frankly, the purple sphere began to speak intriguingly.

"Do you want me? ──Hmm, there are several things that appeal to me, but I'm getting tired of waiting here. I can't leave this place on my own without permission, it's very convenient for a Master to appear."

(Why does Diana know of his existence and how to register as her Master?)

The purple sphere looked intrigued, but she was also trying to accept the proposal favorably because she wanted to leave freely.

Zack looked anxious about such a situation.

"Diana, is everything really okay, what is this thing?"

Answering Zack's question─

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't introduce myself. My name is 'Zero' ──Warship Zero."

Diana took a breath.

This was a sigh of relief.

(How odd? His name in the game was another one, could it be that he forgot it?)

The name of the warship, which is the payment object for that game, was not Zero, but she didn't care about the name, it was indifferent that since it was in the same place and not hostile.

So the existence in front of her... it was a cheat item she knew.

Diana took a step further.

"If so, I would like you to register me as your Master right away."

"Why do you know about the registration of Masters? You are an interesting existence. But now, let's prioritize that."

The purple sphere── the Zero mobile machine emitted a light from the yellow lens and scanned the two bodies.

Zero flew around Diana with interest.

"W-What?"

"I have some interesting data. Today's going to be a good day."

"S-Seriously?"

Looking at Ixion's attitude, she expected him to respond more artificially as she imagined, but Zero was very friendly.

Especially, the attitude towards Diana, who registered as his Master, was very polite.

"Apparently you both look tired. I'll prepare a room soon, so you can rest there. Come on in."

Diana, following Zero who was leading them into the ship, was surprised when she entered inside.

It was very beautiful.

It was the same for Zack, who was touching the wall.

"I've never seen a lost item, but it's so perfect."

Maybe he was interested in Zack's words, but Zero brought his eye towards Diana.

"Lost item? Certainly, the technology that builds me is lost. I am anxious when we surface to see the new world."

"Anxious? You, you have a lot of emotions even though you're an artificial intelligence."

Diana was surprised by Zero, who was happy to come out.

"... Is that so? You are really interesting Master Diana."

Zero turned and went back to leading Diana and the others.

Then Zack spoke up.

"Hey, Diana, what's an artificial intelligence?"

Diana kept her mouth shut.

(Too bad. I got careless.)

"No, it's nothing. More importantly, let's rest."

"Yes, but I want to look around the ship."

Zack, who's excited, shifted his eyes.

Diana turned her gaze to the Zero mobile machine driving her.

(Got it. I also got the cheat item. With this, I don't have to be afraid of Rudel.)

Diana was relieved to get the trap object.

"Please wait here."

When they arrived at the room guided by Zero, this one had a space like a resting area.

There was a sofa, vending machines and plants.

Zack was sitting on the couch without having brushed off the dirt.

"It feels good, why don't you sit down Diana?"

"You're so rude. Well, okay."

When Diana sat down, she suddenly relaxed because she was tired from walking.

Zero seemed to be heading somewhere, leaving the room.

"I'll be off, then."

"Where are you going?"

"Getting ready to leave. I'll bring you your food soon, so please stay relaxed until then."

When Zero came out, Zack was smiling.

"What a thoughtful guy."

(Is there any food on the warship that has been waiting here for many years?)

Diana was a little worried, but then she felt someone looking at her and looked at Zack.

Then Zack came up to her face.

"H-Hey!"

Pushing him with both hands desperately, Zack held her.

Zack's eyes were serious.

"Diana, why did you get engaged to Lugh?"

He suddenly spoke of the engagement, Diana felt like turning back.

She knew Zack liked her.

"Th-That's none of your business. You weren't in school for a while and we didn't have time to talk. What, are you complaining?"

Diana wondered what Zack meant.

Zack narrowed his eyes and looked a little disappointed.

"Do you know my feelings? Diana, I like you. I love you."

Despite receiving his sincere words, Diana pulled away from Zack.

("I love you," nothing could be cheaper than those words.)

Diana remembered her former life and shook her head.

"... It's too late, I already have Lugh."

She got up and walked away from Zack, but he kept chasing her.

Zack grabbed Diana's shoulders with his hands and pulled her towards him.

"I'm going to make you happy. So come with me."

Seeing Zack's serious face, Diana, whose heart was lurching, pushed Zack with her hands and walked away.

"Zack, enough teasing. You're the son of Wayne Household, aren't you? Your state is not in keeping with mine."

"If it's about states, isn't it the same with Lugh? Who cares! I───

As the dispute continued, it was Zero who entered the room."

He's making a cheerful voice.

"Geez~, this is the first time I've prepared food in a long time. Oh, don't worry. The food was well preserved so it wouldn't rot. I mean, I can produce some things on board. I can prepare the food as soon as possible! ── Oh? What are you two arguing about?"

Diana and Zack, who were emitting an uncomfortable air, dropped the subject because of Zero's appearance.

Diana left Zack and folded her arms.

"It's nothing."

(After all, artificial intelligences can't understand human feelings.)

Diana was a little surprised at how Zero didn't read the environment.