Encounter with the Hero Leonhardt (2)

The chat with the legendary Hero Leonhardt continued.

… A thought struck me.

If it was him, might he answer the concerns I'd been worrying about?

My concerns were:

• Whether this world is a game or not

• The improvement of Garumon's social standing

These two themes.

… Of them, the game theory I'd hold off on.

"You're called a hero in this world — is it just a game world?"

That'd be beyond rude. If it were me, I'd snap.

I didn't want to investigate where this hero's boiling point was.

He was a player too.

To him, from the moment he was born, the system existed in reality, the status window existed — he'd lived in that kind of world.

To Earth-raised me, such things didn't exist in reality; they existed inside games.

So "isn't this world a game?" was a natural question, but for people born and raised here, it was different.

… Then again, having lived 200 years, he must have plenty of memory of isekai-transferred Garumon.

He might be experienced from such Garumon throwing those questions at him and his answering.

There was a chance I could readily get an answer I'd be satisfied with, but…

For now, hold off. I'd save this question for when I could converse with the so-called system NPCs, headed by Anneroese-san.

The other concern, though, I thought was worth raising.

Since he was the representative Master of this world, he'd surely give me sharp criticism.

"… Um."

I decided to bring it up.

"I'm from another world.

… In the other world where I was born and raised, Masters are called men, Garumon are called women, and…

There's no difference in status. An equal world."

Well, in truth there were plenty of male-female-difference issues, but I'd keep quiet about that for now.

"… But in this world, Garumon are Masters' slaves, sometimes oppressed.

… I'd like to make Garumon a little happier in this world, but… what do you think, Leonhardt-sama?"

… My phrasing was too vague. Hearing this, he'd probably be at a loss.

"Ho… making Garumon happy, hm."

But Leonhardt took an interest in the content of my talk.

"You intend to propose this at the S-Class Council, as an S-Class Master.

Concretely, what kind of policy are you considering?"

He prompted me to continue.

For now, his not being one of those "What nonsense, don't be silly" question-rejecting types put me at ease.

"… Yes. Even in this world, there exist Masters and Garumon who simply don't mesh.

No matter how much they hate it, Garumon can never escape their Master.

… When they truly hate it, if Garumon were granted the right to escape…

Even just a little, wouldn't that save suffering Garumon?"

So I tried throwing my opinion at him.

"Ho…"

Leonhardt considered my words.

"It may not be a bad idea. With minimal rule additions, truly suffering Garumon could be saved."

Ooh… high evaluation?

"But as an inhabitant of this world, let me deliberately oppose it."

Hmm?

"In this world, Masters are the lords, Garumon are slaves… That system forms the foundation of this world.

To grant Garumon the right to escape is to shake that foundation."

"… But what is wrong should be corrected."

"Whether something is wrong or right is for those who live in that world to decide.

To you, from another world, it may look strange, but in this world that system has held for 300 years.

And it has functioned. The accumulation of those 300 years — do you think someone come from another world can wholly negate it?"

"Th-that is…"

… Of course. A system that had functioned for 300 years versus my passing thought. Which deserved more weight went without saying.

"But if it's only functioning at the cost of Garumon's sacrifice, isn't that bad?"

Here I had no choice but to push back, fancying myself a feminist.

"You said in your world men and women are equal.

So, are all truly equal?

Is birth equal?

Are there no rich-poor disparities?

Are there no talent disparities?"

"… No, not all are equal. There are birth disparities. There are rich-poor disparities, and talent disparities."

"Hmm… and those, you'd say should be corrected too?"

"I don't… think so.

I can't deny the feeling that those born into rich families are unfair, but seizing that from them seems wrong.

As for talent disparities, it's something the person possesses. You can't seize that."

"Hmm… if you understand that, then isn't male-female inequality the same?

Masters being Masters, Garumon being Garumon — that too is the gift one is born with upon falling into this world. You can't seize it from them.

That only male-female inequality should be corrected — that's nothing more than your values."

"… Gh."

I couldn't even grunt.

"That's certainly… but…"

What should I argue back? I wasn't a true feminist at heart, the kind who'd die without male-female equality.

I'd just been vaguely taught that male-female equality was right, so I'd come to think it should be that way.

"If you said income disparity and talent disparity should also be corrected, I'd have to call that an act of folly that would destroy this world.

Excellent Masters leading excellent Garumon, standing against the threat of Demon Gods and Great Magical Beasts.

Without that, this world wouldn't hold.

The idea of everyone-equal — everyone would just die equally. Your idea is far too premature.

It's an idea that can only be born once the threat of Demon Gods has vanished and all crises threatening the world have been removed.

… Your world is at peace, isn't it?"

"… Yes, that's right. The world aside, my country hasn't been at war for many decades."

"Under wartime, you can't speak of equality.

… This world is at wartime. It shouldn't be discussed in peacetime ideology."

"That… yes. I accept that."

I fell silent once.

… That's right. I was the one with the narrow view.

I'd only been thinking of oppressed, bullied Garumon.

Granting Garumon the right to leave their Master meant also acknowledging the right for powerful Garumon like Mercheada to leave.

"… True. Powerful Garumon who hold the world's fate, like Mercheada-san or Arianrhod-san, would need to fight under excellent Masters like Leonhardt-sama or Satoru-san. Otherwise we'd be in trouble.

That perspective was missing from me."

I honestly acknowledged my error.

"But…"

I was about to say, "Garumon who aren't as important would be fine, wouldn't they?" but realized this was a discriminatory remark and stopped.

"… There are no Garumon without value. Yes, there's a strict difference between N-Class and UR-Class Garumon. But each lives earnestly in their own way."

Catching my thought, Leonhardt nonetheless spoke his own opinion.

"Even N-Class Garumon can train themselves, grow, and not impossibly raise their rank.

The children born of strongly-grown N-Class Garumon have higher chances of growing to HN-Class or above.

By raising the soul's level that way, they're said to reincarnate at the next rank up.

Those who, undaunted, keep accumulating training grow strong. That's the same at any rank.

Those who grow strong this way may someday be the ones who save the world.

… Maybe.

… Competition in this world is fierce. Not only among Masters, but among Garumon too, there's constant competition.

But it's because they rise through such fierce competition that… S-Class Masters obtain enough ability to stand against the Demon Gods' threat.

Is the equality you speak of really right?

I think all my Garumon are dear to me.

But if asked who is foremost, after all Mercheada is the dearest.

She's the beloved Garumon who supported me more than anyone, who stayed with me.

Plainly, she's also the Garumon who's been most useful.

So my treating Mercheada specially — they all acknowledge it.

Those who can't accept it work hard, trying to outdo Mercheada.

People who say 'no, you should love all your Garumon equally' exist in this world too.

The word 'equality' itself exists, after all.

Of course, it's an individual matter, so they're free to.

But those obsessed with the ideal of equality, treating Garumon equally without thought — they sank quickly.

The reason 'equality' hasn't taken root in this world is partly the situation of being under Demon God attacks, but…

isn't it also because, even if equality is realized, it would only lead to rot?

If those who work hard and those who don't are treated equally, the hard-workers would disappear."

Mmmmm…

"Certainly, removing competition isn't necessarily good. It's true everything might rot…"

… No good. With my shallow thinking, I couldn't possibly out-argue Leonhardt.

If anything, I was the one being out-argued.

The opinion that men and women should be equal — yeah, in this world that wasn't possible.

To begin with, feminism had plenty of contradictions.

Treating men and women equally required the premise that there was no difference between them.

"Women too should stand on the battlefield with spear and shield" — in the original world, that had been impossible.

Just as in this world it was completely impossible to tell a Master "fight as a Garumon."

In the original world too, bearing children was absolutely a woman's role, and that disparity couldn't be overturned, so complete male-female equality was unfeasible.

If there was a difference and you treated them equally, that was unequal.

If there was a difference, you should accommodate it; but accommodating created inequality.

… This intractable contradiction.

What was Earth's feminism, anyway?

Maybe it was a business tactic of arguing extremes to improve the situation even slightly.

I'd also made a bad move by trying to puff up my opinion before a hero and speaking of grand themes.

What I really wanted to argue wasn't male-female equality. That was unreasonable in this world.

"… Understood. I withdraw the opinion of aiming for equality.

Equality isn't necessarily good, and I accept that it doesn't suit this world's circumstances either."

"Hmm."

Leonhardt's mood didn't seem to have soured. He seemed to be enjoying the debate.

"But I do feel sorry for bullied Garumon. I want to do something for them."

If reason fails, go with sentiment. Now, how about this.

"Hmm… I can understand that. I feel the same."

"Oh! Then…"

"But isn't that too just an imposition?

… As a great principle of this world, there's the inviolable respect for individual Masters' principles and assertions."

"… That is?"

It sounded like a good idea.

"Some Masters have various tastes. You should refrain as much as possible from criticizing others' tastes.

A clear example: S-Class Master Gidsen. The grotesque-Garumon-lover, yes.

Many are fed up with him. I'm fed up too."

Ah, as I'd suspected.

"But no one criticizes the fact itself that Gidsen loves grotesques.

Outside the S-Class Tournament, ranking matches, and swap matches, he avoids appearing in public as much as possible. He never goes above 20th.

With those self-imposed restrictions as minimal consideration, Gidsen's hobby is permitted.

What do you think?"

"… Personally, I don't think Gidsen's hobby is good. But criticizing that hobby is different.

Each person likes different things, so you should respect others' hobbies."

I answered.

"Mn… Then, what about someone whose hobby is hitting Garumon?"

"Because there's a Garumon being hurt, that's no good, I think."

"But Garumon bodies are tough. A Master's muscle power wouldn't injure them by hitting. Even if injured, it'd heal soon."

"But being hit hurts the heart."

"But pleasing the Master is a joy for the Garumon.

If by being hit she pleased her Master, and she'd be happy at that… what then?"

"… That's not for me to criticize."

I wasn't satisfied, but. I'd just be told not to criticize others' hobbies again.

In the end, whether the Garumon was happy was what mattered most.

What would I do if someone told me shaving my Garumon was abuse, stop?

Would I meekly back down and abandon my hobby?

I'd say I wasn't forcing them, it was none of their business, and we'd quarrel.

But my shaving love was obvious from seeing everyone in Spirit Garb, yet no one had ever criticized me for it.

… In that sense, this world's principle of not interfering in others' affairs had helped me.

"But that's only because the Garumon is happy…

There are Garumon who haven't gotten used to being hit and are suffering, I think.

I want to give such Garumon the right to leave Masters who don't suit them."

"Hmm… but doesn't that violate the great principle of mutual Master respect?

Your hobby is permitted, the hitting-Garumon hobby isn't permitted.

Why?"

"… Ugh… that's… ultimately, just because I don't like it.

That… certainly, I think it does go against the principle of mutual respect between Masters…"

I had to admit.

"… Still, even if it's self-righteous, even selfish… I can't leave hit Garumon alone.

I'll want to say, stop."

I understood the reasoning. But the emotional issue couldn't be helped.

I couldn't leave a girl being hit alone.

"Even now, there are ways for Garumon to leave Masters they hate.

… Disobey orders, that's all.

If a Garumon resists with their full being, disobeying orders for one or two turns is possible.

… Even Garumon who aren't special like Suzanne — anyone can do it a little.

By using that one or two turns of disobedience to intentionally lose, you can switch Master on the spot.

Even without losing, if this is repeated frequently, the Master has no choice but to let go.

They'll decide to release unmanageable Garumon and obtain more obedient ones.

There are Garumon who switch Master through this method, even now.

What's possible in the current system — is there really a need to constrain it with new laws or rules?"

… Mmm, this counter was eye-opening.

"… There's… such a method…?"

If leaving a hated Master under the current system wasn't all that hard…

Then maybe my opinions had been spinning in vain after all…

"But there must also be Garumon who don't know that method. Is there a system to teach such Garumon?"

"No, surprisingly, Garumon do exchange that kind of information among themselves, you know?"

At some point while listening to our talk, Mercheada had joined in.

"You can hear it at school, too.

Naoto-san, I think you reached this idea because you saw your isekai-transfer peers in painful situations, but the Garumon of this world are all tough."

Mercheada told me.

"That Master was good, that Master was bad, I once met a Master like this.

Listening to Garumon gossip might be interesting too."

… A beautiful voice. Resembling Suzanne too, but with a little more, somehow, kinder, sweeter feel.

"I see…

Then… my opinion was spinning in vain after all?"

I sank a little. Having seen disliked Masters and oppressed Garumon several times in this world…

That had made me think I had to save them.

I didn't think that was wrong, but…

"For now, I think isekai-transferred people don't know that information.

Is there no support to inform them of such things?

When I transferred, I had no idea which way was up.

… Honestly, having met Reichhardt — who at least taught me a few things — I think I was fortunate.

Many isekai-transferred people get caught by a Master in this world without understanding anything and have terrible things done to them with no escape, I think.

For us, hundreds transferred together, but usually about ten come over per year, right?

For that few, surely they're being more properly supported?"

For now, I'd confirm from an easy-to-grasp angle.

"… There's no such system. Indeed, one would certainly be necessary.

That isekai-transferred people, through no fault of their own, are brought to this world and then suffer unfortunate fates… as an inhabitant of this world, that's something we can't ignore."

Oh, finally one of my opinions got through.

"However, in practical terms it's difficult. The system can't grasp all isekai-transferred inhabitants either.

For the recent isekai transfer, Prophecy Princess Himika was able to foresee that many would transfer in great numbers to one place, so I contacted the system and requested support.

But such prophecies don't always occur.

There are still cases of those who transfer to remote monster territory dying without understanding anything.

This is certainly something that should be improved, but the method is currently difficult. We can hope for progress in research at Unitia."

… I see. Unfortunate.

What could be applied by law was only within the range of human technology and ability.

The absurdity of making a law banning tsunamis and earthquakes made that obvious.

"In that case, the most we can do is push for more substantive improvement, then."

"Mn… if that's the case, maybe that's reasonable.

Still, even that will have its opposers. Moving on countermeasures means increasing the burden.

More time would have to be devoted to exploring monster territory; the economic burden… many will oppose for such reasons."

"Mmm… is that so…"

It seemed difficult.

"Your ideal itself, I think, is right. I personally am not against it.

But it's far too large a reform.

It would make many enemies, and at times even spark conflicts.

Even though I personally agree, due to various circumstances I might have to oppose.

Allies, too, won't be easy to obtain.

… Even so, do you have the resolve to push through?"

Leonhardt asked.

"I… I love this world and intend to settle here permanently.

For that reason too, I want to make this world even a little better.

If there are pitiful Garumon, I want to save them.

I feel that.

… No matter how many oppose me.

No, Leonhardt-sama, I understand well that you deliberately raised the problems with my opinion.

I also understand well that, at my current level, refuting such opinions is difficult.

… But what matters is stubbornness, isn't it?"

I said with a laugh.

"Even just a little at a time, changing the rules…

Even if just a little better, if it becomes better.

That's fine, I think. I'll aim and push forward."

"… Hah-hah-hah! Just so. Anything anyone says is impossible — if you keep at it without giving up, you'll certainly achieve it."

Leonhardt gave me his stamp of approval.

I was really glad I'd talked with him. I'd also understood the problems in my thinking…

Well, for now I'd grow allies one grassroots step at a time. Of course, I also needed to think more carefully about what policies to push.

Lots to think about.

The S-Class Council, huh… what kind of place would it be? Would I be able to get my opinion through there?

I'd grown anxious. But I was also looking forward to it.

Anyway, despite his great age, Leonhardt could respond flexibly to different ideas, didn't look down on the young… truly a wonderful person. I felt that more and more.

Our talk continued further.