Reincarnated With the World Domination System-Chapter 37: Carry that weight

Rael screamed from inside Togis' steel shell.

His body could not regenerate.

His bloodline had slipped into slumber after defeating Sister Sophia.

A mental block now muted most of his powers.

He lay on the floor, clutching his shirt while sweat poured and blood leaked in alarming streams.

As Togis lumbered from the junkyard, the orphans watched in fright.

Rael's cries set fragile children sobbing, smothering any urge to cheer his victory.

Clutching her plush toy, Anne forced herself to speak.

"Will Rael come back?"

Tears streaked her cheeks as she met the old tortoise's eyes.

"My Lord will return. Go home and wait for him. Leave the rest to us adults," Togis said.

He quickened his pace.

Authorities would soon search the site.

Even the city outskirts felt unsafe while Rael howled.

The children watched until the guardian disappeared on the horizon.

Dominica drew Rael's mind into his private virtual room.

Shiran waited there, tail trembling.

Rael appeared whole yet hollow, and the little lion began to sob.

"Lord Rael, your bloodline is locked and your powers are self-suppressed. At this rate you cannot purge the poison or heal."

"I know. Innocent lives died because of me. That's why," Rael said.

"But that devil caused it," Shiran cried, then lowered his head.

After Rael's first duel with Commander Alexandra every follow-up simulation grew harsher.

Alexandra changed tactics and stretched each fight so Rael never had tools to save every hostage.

Even with talent and effort, some lives slipped away.

A palm-sized tortoise blinked into view.

"She wanted you to learn that no one can save everyone," Togis said. "Our world is not black and white. You chose a lesser evil to stop a greater one. Carrying that weight will shape you into a ruler."

Rael closed his eyes.

"I will not run. I will carry the cost and avoid the same mistake. Let me out. I must awaken my bloodline."

"We are proud of you. How will you awaken it?" Dominica asked.

"The Might's Engine. A little more pain will not break me."

"A second use so soon will hurt far more than you expect," Dominica warned.

"Do not belittle a man's pride," Togis said.

"A man's pride... I need more data," Dominica muttered.

Rael and Togis chuckled while Shiran tilted his head.

-

A steel shell shivered in a forest on the city's edge.

Howls and demonic roars echoed through the trees.

Blood laced with green sparks dripped from the seams and scorched the grass.

Six hours of wailing passed, then two days of silence.

At dawn the hull split and lowered a stair.

A boy stepped out.

"I'm hungry," he said.

His hair was darker than night and his violet eyes glowed, yet his cheeks were hollow.

A small steel lion with a white mane hopped after him.

Scratches marred his limbs, yet he trotted with eager steps.

"Lord Rael, should we swipe food from the nearest store? It is an anti-hero move for a greater cause."

"Your idea of anti-hero is strange, Shiran. But I'm starving, so maybe."

"Epic!"

A tortoise slid from the shell and matched their pace.

When the city border rose on the horizon, Rael halted.

"Rest in my storage, Togis."

"I shall take a nap, My Lord."

"Sweet dreams."

[You have stored Togis within your Steelborn Storage.]

[One of three slots is occupied.]

The storage tied to the Maker's Core let Rael carry three Steelborns at once.

Inside, they could sleep, chat, or visit his virtual room.

"You don't want to read manga, Shiran?" Rael asked.

"No. I want to stay with Lord Rael. Ah, look."

Ahead, several orphans waited near the road.

They had scattered along the border, hoping to spot him.

Anne, Ali, and the first boys who had helped Rael ran forward with food and drinks.

The boys fought tears while Anne crashed into Rael's chest.

"Rael," she sobbed, then pressed a bundle into his hands. "The Sisters said you'll need plenty to eat."

"Thanks. Looks like we won't need that anti-hero theft," Rael said.

They sat on the cool grass and shared a dawn picnic.

"Are you sure food is enough?" Ali asked. "That battle shook the whole city."

"She is gone. We must prepare for the next threat," Rael said with his mouth full.

Anne whispered, "Is it because we have no parents? It hurts."

"Yes," Rael said.

Even in Rael's first life, society overlooked orphans.

Projects such as Future Eden thrived in that blind spot.

"We have each other. So we will be fine."

Everyone nodded.

After the meal Rael led the group home.

More orphans greeted him at the gate.

Older children without abilities stared at him like a hero.

No one spoke of those who had died; the loss was still too raw.

Hard times were forging stronger hearts.

"What about the sisters?" Rael asked.

"They knew what was happening but could not stop Sister Sophia," Ali whispered. "They support us in secret."

"I see," Rael said.

Military craft hovered above the junkyard in the distance, their lights pulsing in the pale sky.

Signals flashed farther off, warning that more forces were on the way.

We are safe for now. We still need an escape route. Togis was right. I need more information.

[What is your idea, Lord Rael?] ƒгeewёbnovel.com

I will build Autonoms. Tiny spider-leg drones linked to us. They will watch every corner of the orphanage and report in real time.

"Ali, bring some scrap steel. We stored plenty before the fight, right?" Rael said.

"Yeah." Ali ran off.

Rael climbed to his bunk.

[Are you sure you don't need a blueprint?]

The design is simple. A small body, eight legs, one camera eye, and short command lines. My bloodline may refine it. I cannot sit idle.

And I need to look far beyond myself. Despite the warnings I did not do enough. I could have done so much more. I'll work three times harder now.

[May you succeed, Lord Rael.]

Rael smiled. "I will."