Allen the Reincarnated Merchant: A Plan to Get Rich in Another World

Saioji’s final response was a vague “Let me think about it.”

She neither tried to test KAEDE’s abilities in battle, like Kalikira had, nor did she bombard us with questions about the future world. All she asked for was some time to sort out her thoughts.

For Saioji, who was known for her quick decisions, this hesitation was unusual. Anyone familiar with her would surely be surprised by it. Understanding how complex her feelings must be, I refrained from asking why. She did, however, assure me that she would inform the other team members about KAEDE, which meant my visit to the team house had achieved its purpose.

『We still have around five hours until the scheduled time.』

“We’ll have lunch back in the other world, so until then, how about exploring the capital?”

Kalikira might be used to sudden changes, but exposing KAEDE to the other team members without preparation would only cause confusion. Fortunately, I’d managed to speak to Saioji first. I’d hoped to explain things alone, but KAEDE, as my bodyguard, had insisted on coming along. In the end, it was for the best, as Saioji got to see her in person.

『Maintaining such a stable climate without a star shield is exceedingly rare among planets. This is a Class I planet—one that any government would nationalize immediately.』

“Is it really that unusual?”

『Yes. Including Earth, only a handful of planets in the vast galaxy are habitable without star shields.』

The star shield is a terraforming technology that allows humans to inhabit planets that would otherwise be uninhabitable, like the resource planet Zerad in the future world. Thanks to star shields, the number of habitable planets has increased drastically. Without one, the likelihood of a naturally habitable planet forming is often compared to “tossing a box of clock parts into a school pool and expecting water currents alone to assemble a functioning clock.” Earth and Asphial are incredibly rare places.

Naturally, such rare planets are nationalized upon discovery and reserved as homes for the elite few.

As we talked, KAEDE transformed her attire, now resembling a refined lady from a noble family. Although the capital’s streets were still relatively empty, the few passersby couldn’t help but stare at her, captivated by her long, graceful green hair flowing as she walked.

“So, KAEDE, do you identify as female?”

『Yes, although I can take on a male appearance, I identify as female.』

She offered to switch to a male form if it bothered me, but I told her it was fine. It didn’t seem right to alter her identity, especially if her creators had designed her as a woman.

(It feels good to stroll through the capital at dawn like this…)

Typically, if I was moving around early in the day, it was for something like a bustling street market. This quiet morning felt rare, almost refreshing, as the winter chill settled around us—until suddenly—

『Enemy detected. Engaging.』

Just as we were walking leisurely down a quieter street, KAEDE suddenly announced she’d detected an enemy. Her VRST suit shifted, and needle-like projectiles flew past me, striking a cloaked figure behind us.

“Gah!”

The man in a dark cloak collapsed to the ground.

『I did not kill him. I struck him with paralyzing needles; he’ll be unable to move for half a day.』

KAEDE approached the incapacitated man and pulled a small dagger from his clothing, its blade coated in a thick yellow liquid resembling honey.

『I cannot identify the exact composition, but its molecular structure resembles snake venom. For an ordinary person, it would likely cause multiple organ failure.』

KAEDE offered to “eliminate” him, but I was still processing what had just happened.

“Was he targeting me?”

『Yes. Judging by his gaze and intent, there’s no doubt that his objective was you.』

For a moment, I wondered why, but then I started looking around, suspecting there could be more enemies nearby.

『No other hostiles detected within a 1-kilometer radius… but I still advise evacuating to the future world.』

As she examined the fallen man, KAEDE confirmed that no one else nearby was a threat. Her preliminary analysis suggested that the poison on the dagger wouldn’t affect me, but since I’d been targeted, KAEDE immediately raised her alert level to maximum.

“…What are you doing?”

『I’m probing his memory to identify his employer and eliminate them.』

KAEDE transformed her fingers into thread-like strands, touching the man’s head in the same way she’d healed Kalikira. When I asked what she was doing, she explained that she was scanning the would-be assassin’s memories to find out who had hired him.

“You can even do that?”

『Yes. It’s quicker and more reliable than a truth serum.』

The man let out strange gasping sounds, occasionally twitching as KAEDE continued probing his mind.

“Is it painful?”

『No, but it’s said to create an intense feeling of discomfort. If overdone, it can even leave a person mentally broken.』

Without stopping, KAEDE gathered what she needed, stood swiftly, and transformed her VRST suit, releasing a swarm of silver, bee-like machines from its form.

『These are Silver Killer Bees, also known as Jil Killer Hornets. They possess high data-gathering capabilities and venom potent enough to kill a creature the size of a lion instantly. I’ll release about a thousand of them to scour the capital and eliminate any related targets.』

With a single command, “Go,” KAEDE sent the silver bees skyward. They spiraled into the air and dispersed throughout the capital.

Every movement KAEDE made seemed premeditated and calculated, her cold efficiency radiating a chilling detachment.