17

The elevator back to the Ark.

Since we needed to submit the operation reports to get paid, and since Rapi and Marian had finished them, I decided to head off to the Central Government office ASAP to turn them in.

Of course, since I was ALSO aware of how much attention I was getting, I leaned into the bit by wearing my newly fabricated armor, sword, and shield.

Rapi glanced at me from the side and said, "Commander... Are you sure arriving like this is a good idea?"

Marian looked concerned too and said, "I'm glad that you'll be safe, Commander. But... this draws quite a bit of attention, doesn't it?"

"That's the point." I rested my left hand on the sword hilt there and said, "I already stand out. If I looked 'normal' people would think it's luck. But if I arrive properly armed and 'extraordinary' they'll lean into thinking I'm the next Johan or something instead. It's all optics."

And when it came to optics, my world was specialized in it, unlike here.

Rapi frowned. "...I suppose that's logical. Still." She glanced at my sword. "...Do you know how to use that? Not to doubt you, Commander. But if it's just for show..."

I smiled at her. "I'd like to see people try."

Marian chuckled. "That's more like you, Commander." She smiled. "Cutting down anything in your way... literally now too."

"Mmhm." I leaned against the side of the elevator, watching the lights pass by as we descended. "It's pretty interesting though."

My reflection revealed an armored knight, looking straight out of a hybridized sci-fi fairytale.

Or, you know, a Gate/Hunter webtoon.

"...I didn't think schematics for things like this were available to Commanders. I guess most people just opt for guns, huh?"

Although I DID need to tweak the schematics a bit in the recycling center, I didn't need to do too much. These had all been in place, so it seemed like, at some point, this was standard issue.

Rapi sighed. "You're exceptional, Commander. Most want to stay as far back from combat as possible."

Marian nodded. "That's right. From the start, you've been proactive with combat, Commander. But it's far from the norm, you know?"

"Is it now? Mm... I guess that makes sense. Most people are terrified of Raptures."

Rapi let out an amused smile. "You're finally realizing how odd it is that you don't fear them?"

"Nah. I know it's odd, I don't need to realize that. I was just wondering why there weren't any other people like me. With just the sheer numbers, you'd think there were a few, right?"

Marian sighed. "...Most people with your mindset lack the skills, Commander. And most people with your skills lack the mindset."

Rapi nodded. "As Mari said. For whatever reason, Commander, you simply have the perfect balance of lack of fear and abundance of skills."

"Right."

Hm.

That was a strange thought.

Come to think of it, I never did delve too deeply in how I ended up here.

I was rolling with the punches right now and deep into character.

Well, more like I was 'unmasking' my character. Back on Earth, I was always more suited to being a soldier than an office worker.

In fact, I was going to be an FBI agent after high school before my parents talked me out of it.

So I always had that particular skillset at my disposal.

But it WAS weird.

Was this a normal isekai? Transmigration?

Clearly, this wasn't my body.

But I ALSO didn't die. I clearly remember going to sleep in my bed back on Earth.

This wasn't a dream though.

So that begged the question.

How was I here? And who WAS I really?

I'd picked the name 'Hoopa' because it was familiar. It was an alias. It wasn't my real name.

Then there was the fact that, as far as I could see from my records, this 'body' of mine didn't HAVE a name. I was just listed as 'Commander.' And I clearly saw that it was modified post-hoc to be Commander Hoopa.

Nobody would probe too much into it. And from what I understood, a lot of 'Commanders' also went nameless on purpose in memory of the anonymous Legendary Commander.

But that meant that I couldn't find any info about me beyond the military academy.

And, as you could tell, my memories of this life stopped the moment the military academy started. No older memories were present.

It was weird. Almost like I was literally born at that time. Or at least, 'this person' I had become was born at that time.

Like, even though I couldn't clearly recall the memories of my life on Earth, I still had the semantic knowledge. I could summarize roughly what I experienced in my childhood, school, etcetera.

But when it came to my life HERE, nada.

For example, I could ask myself this: how were you at five years old back on Earth?

And I had an immediate answer: a chubby kid, bookish, and not many friends. Also, avid gamer.

But here?

I asked myself 'what were you like before the military academy and becoming a commander?'

...Nothing.

No, the 'nothing' was probably my answer.

And that was miiildly concerning because Anis's casual sarcasm about me being a sleeper agent seemed highly likely.

Well, if not sleeper agent, then at the least a fabricated fleshy body that was punted into the military academy.

The elevator arrived at the Ark's upper level.

"We're here." Rapi moved to stand to my left.

"Let's go, Commander." Marian moved to stand on my right.

"Yeah." I rested my hand on my sword hilt and walked out as the elevator doors opened. "Let's see this place properly with my own eyes, hm?"

===

The Ark was impressive.

Although I'd seen it briefly when I met Andersen and right after getting back from saving Marian, I didn't have the chance to appreciate it at the time.

Mostly because I had been in full survival mode.

Now though...

"It's peaceful."

Looking around at the kids playing in the streets, the people milling about...

Other than the armed mass-produced Nikke roaming the streets and guarding certain areas, I could easily mistake the area as a city like New York.

The skyscrapers were a bit more fantasical, what with more spirals and curves than the plain boxes I was used to, but it didn't feel odd.

Rapi moved in lock step beside me on my left, a soft smile on her face. "Yes. It is. That's why we fight."

Marian moved in lock step beside me on my right and said, "This is the world you're protecting, Commander."

"Hm..." I glanced around some more.

Kids and some people who noticed me looked over with wide eyes, immediately saluting with happy expressions on their faces. But those expressions faltered a bit when they saw Rapi and Marian.

"...Needs some work, but it's salvageable."

Maybe it was because I was American?

I definitely got pre-civil rights movement vibes from the people here. While they were nominally accepting of Nikke, it looked like a clear cultural divide still existed. They were still seen as 'other.'

Rapi tilted her head. "...Salvageable?"

"Well." I walked along the street, leading the way. "The people here aren't ALL bad. Just prejudiced and misinformed. Also probably under a lot of propaganda."

It wasn't hatred I saw. At least, not completely. It was mostly fear, uncertainty, and unease.

The average citizen just hadn't had the opportunity to see Nikke as anything other than weapons. And I was sure politicians used them as scapegoats for any big problems.

So it was fixable. Just time consuming.

Marian glanced at people nearby and shook her head. "...Commander. You're seeing them in the best light, but... People don't change that easily."

Rapi nodded. "I agree with Mari. Even after decades have passed, things are still like this. Although it's against the law to mistreat Nikke... Well."

"No, I understand."

It was definitely like pre-civil rights America. Laws on the book prevented discrimination, but in practice they were still applied discretionally. Meaning that prejudice and mistreatment still occured.

Mm... I wanted to compare it to the current climate around same-sex couples, but it was a bit more intense than that.

Unlike that sort of discrimination, which was based on metaphysical things and beliefs, there was a tangible thing for people to latch onto here in discriminating.

Namely, the fact that Nikke were functional immortal goddesses of war. Or better put, real life Valkyries-

Huh.

"Hey, Rapi."

"Yes?"

I glanced over. "Does the term 'Valkyrie' or 'Einherjar' mean anything to you?"

Rapi paused. "...I don't believe so?"

"Hm..."

Interesting tidbit.

Clearly, a lot of this world's culture was influenced by greco-roman society. 'Nikke' itself was a reference to the goddess of victory, Nike.

Then there were Raptures codenamed Zeus, etcetera...

But considering how Nikkes were, almost to the tee, a line up for Valkyries... namely pure maiden souls being swept up and placed in a new body to continue the endless fight in Valhalla...

Well, you'd think that they'd at least heard of stuff like that.

Marian looked at me and said, "Is it important, Commander?"

"Not really. Just curious."

I felt like the tidbit was important. I wasn't sure WHY just yet, but I knew it was.

The fact that greco-roman influence was the only thing that remained-

Wait.

"Hey, Rapi. Follow up question." I swept my gaze around the surroundings and carefully observed the architecture of the buildings again.

Namely, the fact that it was ringing bells since I had recently been in Vatican City.

The curves, the color scheming... hidden crosses in plain sight, like the fact that there were three of them in Missilis Industry's logo on a sign nearby...

"Does the word 'Vatican' mean anything to you?"

Rapi paused. "Fad it can? I don't believe so?"

Marian frowned. "Vati... can? Is it a type of container, Commander?"

I stared at the Missilis logo again. Then I stared harder at the fact that the 'I' in each was DEFINITELY a sideways cross.

AND the fact that there were specifically THREE of them. Like, the holy trinity.

Moreover, the fact that the M in Missilis was deliberately stylized to look like the looming archways you'd see in a temple...

"...What's wrong, Commander?" Rapi moved to my side and stared at the logo. "Did you notice something?"

"...Don't worry about it." I averted my gaze since I noticed people watching and continued walking. "So we're heading to the Central Government Offices, right? Which way?"

"Ah, this way, Commander..."

===

The closer I got to the Central Government Office, the more I noticed the hidden Vatican influences.

...I guess in hindsight it should have flagged in my head considering we called the enemies 'Raptures' and the last bastion of humanity was called the 'Ark.'

But even so...

'...This isn't going to end with me murdering a god, is it?'

To be fair, if it WAS, I was SO down.

Hell, I called myself Hero of Omnipotent Powers Annihilated and I had an axiomatic proof against the concept of omnipotence.

Besides, as a JRPG enthusiast, I'd been committing deicide since I was 5. Decades of experience doing so, and also exposure to every type of deity under the sun.

'Though the whole church bad trope being real is a bit unoriginal... Makes sense though.'

The moment we arrived at the courtyard, Rapi and Marian came to a stop behind me.

I paused and glanced back. "Hm? What's wrong?"

Marian let out an apologetic smile and said, "Nikke aren't allowed inside the offices, Commander. Rapi and I will wait out here for you."

Rapi nodded. "Yes. It's against protocol... and illegal." She shifted her gaze to the building, where a few frustrated screams and shouting could be heard. "...There are certain sides of commanders that the Central Government doesn't wish for Nikke to experience."

"...Ah." I nodded. "Got it. Propaganda and all that. Can't have the 'help' see that the 'saviors of humanity' have a bad side."

Commander and Nikke squads were the last bastion of hope for humanity at this point in time. If any hints that it was faulty got out, it would be the lack of a nail that turned into the loss of a kingdom.

So I got it.

Hated it, but I understood why.

"I'll be right back then."

Rapi handed me the briefcase with the printed and completed reports. "Of course, Commander. Don't take too long. We still need to purchase supplies with the funding."

"Right." I took the briefcase and waved, heading off.

===

The inside of the office was loud.

But the moment I stepped inside, it turned deadly quiet.

All at once, I had eyes on me. Commanders who looked in the middle of crying from frustration, screaming, or otherwise had paused to stare at me.

The receptionists, who were either irritated, smiling awkwardly, or calm, all looked as well.

But I ignored them, idly resting my hand on my sword. Instead of reacting, I calmly walked to the back of the nearest line and waited.

Slowly, the conversations continued and the room returned to its former din.

But I could catch snippets of other conversations too, centered around me.

"Is that him?"

"Commander Hoopa... what kind of name is that?"

"He has a stupid name... but look at that equipment. He looks like he knows how to use it too."

"I heard he took down two Tyrant-Class Raptures with just a handful of Nikke..."

"I thought it was an exaggeration, but look at him. Those muscles and that firm stance..."

"Fuck. I can't even complain now. Son of a bitch... Commanders like this exist?"

"Rumor has it a Deputy Chief even promoted him to Special Commando."

"Really?! But hasn't he only been deployed twice?!"

"Yeah, but he DID take down those Tyrant-Class Raptures..."

Huh.

How'd they know it was me?

Was my face that popular?

The answer for that came when my phone buzzed.

Pulling it out and taking my glove off to check, I saw a message from Anis.

[Anis]

Uh... Commander. You might want to check social media.

I frowned and glanced up. Seeing there was still a line, I pulled open the forums for the Ark's social media.

And then I paused.

[Newbie Commander defeats Tyrant-Class Raptures!]

[Commander Hoopa... just who is this ridiculous man?]

[Breaking news! Newbie Commander found returning from the surface in full combat gear!]

[Missilis CEO Syuen says that the Newbie Commander is all flash no substance.]

[Tetra Line CEO Mustang says that Commander Hoopa is the epitome of "eeeeeeeentertainment"]

The headlines themselves were ridiculous. But more than that was the fact that there were clear photos of me plastered all over. And even more recent ones of me walking out with Rapi and Marian from the elevator.

The recent ones made me look straight out of a game cover or something. No, out of a military recruitment poster, with the light hitting my armor juuust right while we stepped out from the elevator. They'd even caught the moment that the wind picked up, making it look super dramatic.

...Huh.

Well, that explained everyone's reactions.

By the time I put my phone away, it was my turn in line.

I sat down at the open chair across from the teller, a young woman with black hair.

She smiled at me and said, "Nice to meet you, Commander Hoopa. It's a pleasure to meet such an esteemed individual... How may I help you today?"

Awkward as hell. That was the only way I could describe it.

Fortunately, I had experience in awkward social environments and maintaining my cool.

So with a straight face, I slid the briefcase over and said, "Turning in operation reports. Delays occurred, but they're complete."

"Of course, Commander." The woman took the briefcase from me and started reading them, inputting the data onto her console.

As she did, I took a casual look around the room, instinctively checking the exits.

...There was only one. The way I came.

I was mildly concerned, but also completely unsurprised.

'Perfect for eliminating witnesses...'

In case issues came up, it was easy to 'clean up' any messes that unfolded.

I was glad I had the foresight to come equipped. And I made the mental note to never come to the Ark unequipped ever again.

In the worst case scenario, I could cut my way out with my blade, but I would VERY much not have to resort to that...

"Done." The teller looked up at me and smiled. "I've confirmed the veracity of your reports. Would you like your salary deposited or as a voucher?"

"Hm..."

I rubbed my chin, thinking about the options.

Direct deposit WAS always useful. But vouchers would allow me to delegate, probably...

"Let's do 80-20. Deposit 80% in my account and give 20% as vouchers... Ah, to confirm, I can pay with vouchers, yes?"

The teller tilted her head. "Of course...?"

I nodded. "Just confirming. I've had quite a few people tell me conflicting information recently, you see."

"Ah, I understand." The teller gave me an understanding smile. "For a Commander in your position, there must be all sorts of things to deal with at the moment... But one moment." She typed on her console a bit more and then nodded. "Please confirm the payment of the direct deposit in your bankbook." She slid her monitor around to show me.

'Huh. That's a lot of zeroes.'

I was suddenly keenly aware of just how rich the player characters must be in the greater context of things, as well as how much of a money sink Nikke were.

For the operations, I had received 200K credits. Since I split it, 160K was in my bankbook, and the teller slid over 40K credits.

But I'd also taken a look at the prices of things as we walked over here.

From the look of things, food prices and the daily essentials were in the normal range. Like, 10-100 credits for a decent to luxurious meal.

Ammo and the like were higher, going upwards of 1K for cases.

But even if we took into account my expenses and everything and feeding everyone, this was definitely enough for a year of just relaxing. Especially since we didn't pay for anything in the Outpost.

Granted, it would undoubtedly be more expensive living here in the Ark, but still.

Judging from how other commanders were eyeing the stack of vouchers that the teller slid across...

'They have it rough, huh?'

They'd probably signed up thinking it was a glorious job only to learn they only got paid on results, and at the risk of their life.

I tucked the vouchers inside my platemail and nodded. "Appreciate the work."

The teller saluted. "I should say that to you, Commander. Be well and continue to work hard."

I gave her a faint smile and then walked out.