Chapter 443: with translation of chapter title

NO．26：Freedom as hard to define as evil

Barbeast X, like Witchmon, is a spellcasting-type Digimon.

And it is also a degenerate form of the Ultimate.

If we regard each Digimon's data volume as a book, then the Ultimate level, without exception, is a lengthy novel.

And a wild Ultimate is even more like an epic masterpiece.

Admittedly, there are Digimon that evolve smoothly into Ultimate, or even purely by eating their way to Ultimate.

But among them, Bellstamon and Beelzebumon are destined not to appear.

After all, most humanoid Digimon are belligerent, and demon lord types need not be mentioned.

For such beings, smooth sailing can only mean a streak of victories.

Instead, because the Digital World is inherently ever-changing, it becomes all the more legendary.

Unfortunately, Barbeast X and Witchmon are both quite common.

They have a past bound to include setbacks, and moreover a reason they must walk in this guise.

But Aomo is not the type who seeks a drink at the mere hearing of a story.

He never inquired into the past of his partner Witchmon, let alone the temporary ally Barbeast X.

All there is is mutual suspicion based on being 'similar, but not exactly alike'.

And the cooperative relationship built from that suspicion, which looks shaky yet is extremely solid.

This relationship is based on mutual understanding, so even when Barbeast X suddenly disappears after the Moonchariot symbolizes failure, he does not find it strange.

Frankly, it doesn't matter if he runs away with the Freedom Armor rolled up; after all, he and Witchmon aren't particularly interested in the power of ancient species.

Rather, he is curious whether it can truly achieve freedom transcending the Digimon framework.

But Barbeast X has no reason to leave without a word.

Especially since Aomo indeed spends time studying knowledge of the Digital World and earnestly practices advanced applications of the Digisoul.

All in order to reach the level of researching the Digispirit.

Because of Witchmon's attitude of attacking on sight, abandoning Aomo's conditions... the possibility of such an occurrence, Aomo thinks it over, and only one reasonable condition remains.

——

"I really did think you would find a compatible partner for the Freedom Armor, but I sincerely advise you to change."

"What the heck! You actually want to choke off the brother's rare chance to become the protagonist!"

"You are already the protagonist of your own life; such an opportunity is unnecessary."

「This really moves the brother to hear—you think I'd say that?! This is an opportunity I volunteered for!"

"You still dare to volunteer?"

A little later, Aomo met Barbeast X and its new partner.

With today's excellent communications technology, even without leaving home, one can see the full picture of the other party and Barbeast X.

That human face is not unfamiliar, and it completely exceeded his expectations.

That is Bi Ze.

His surname is Bi and given name Ze; according to himself, the name was chosen by his elders, taken from the phrase 'deep mountains and great marshes give birth to dragons and serpents,' as well as the meaning that great marshes are also called great benevolence.

Whether the benevolence is good or not is hard to say, but the expectation of dragons and serpents... Aomo thinks this can serve as an example of 'naming expectations cannot determine a child's future.'

Great marshes are lakes and wetlands, and Bi Ze's disposition...

... rather than calling it a lake and marsh, it might be better called a pond and marsh.

Can it truly be associated with freedom?

He is still at a primitive stage even as an alien in thought, not yet up to the Golden Ship, and if we consider freedom in the ordinary sense...

Aomo turned his head back, looked again at Barbeast X: "I might be able to recommend another friend to you, though she is a horse girl."

"Come on, brother, lend a hand!"

Someone's anxious call made Aomo look again, and the latter immediately fell silent, nervous.

Because the projection retained imperfectly rendered blue light particles, the whole person glowed blue, making Bi Ze look even more alien, lacking the confidence a Super Saiyan should have.

Even when he is especially stubborn-mouthed, he will quiet down under Aomo's scrutinizing gaze.

This is just like usual, not as if he'd been hit by some psychic ability... Aomo thought.

Signing a Digimon partner seems fine at first glance, although Bi Ze is already an older child, in his third year of high school, an age that should have already graduated, but here there is no interest in the stupid setting of final evolution.

Digimon are born from data; although emotional power can become the key to evolution, it has nothing to do with human development.

Adults can still have Digimon partners, and even have multiple Digimon assistants—indeed, even employees.

One can even work as an employee for Digimon!

But Barbeast X as a Digimon is quite problematic.

"Don't you think it's dangerous? Barbeast X always has many secrets."

Although speaking in front of Barbeast X, Aomo opens his mouth without reservation.

And when Bi Ze speaks, his wandering brows and eyes show he is not very resolute.

"So... so I think... this makes him even more like a protagonist..."

"Tell me the real reason?"

The description of an alien is merely to explain the electric wave system and neural blade, not to call him a fool or idiot; the Golden Ship, which occasionally appears in media, has even been praised as appearing foolish while being truly wise, possessing astonishing intelligence.

By comparison, Bi Ze, whose symptoms are not obvious, should not be an idiot.

Although knowledge gained from paper ends up feeling shallow, having read so many light novels, Dongyan novels, manga, and films, he ought to know how reckless action with poor luck turns out.

Even if he is the protagonist, he still cannot avoid suffering a setback.

And the other party's answer is:

He said the free armor had a reaction, I really want to try it.

I don't need to lie.

Noticing Aomo's gaze, Bar Beast X said calmly: "Among so many people who came for the recruitment interview and other races, I didn't expect his fluctuation to be the highest."

"Recruitment?"

I found a compatible person on the surface network recruitment site.

Aomo fell silent for a moment after hearing that, feeling that short sentence had countless flaws, then suddenly turned his head to look at Bi Ze.

"... I happen to be looking for a part-time job."

"Did you use up your horse‑betting money?"

"No, but I'm a bit too idle..." The light‑blue Bi Ze felt a little embarrassed, awkwardly adding, "All day I'm either looking at new staff configurations or scrolling through macro updates, otherwise I'm playing games; I feel I should find a job."

Damn……

At that moment, Aomo quickly weighed the consequences—whether his current finances could withstand the impact of smashing the desktop.

Although he could, he still restrained this violent outburst.

Although smashing objects as a vent is satisfying, it shouldn't become the Shen yuan of furniture and appliances.

So he only twitched the corner of his eyes slightly, and the hand resting on the chair arm quietly clenched.

Some are so busy they barely have enough sleep, while others are so idle they actively look for work even though they don't need money.

And that alien, unaware of his close friend's reaction, continued trying to pursue the previous topic:

"David was also pretty idle, but he doesn't have much time to play games with me, after all he has a girlfriend, maybe even two."

"Sigh, your ethics here are also quite open; I feel I really should get a robot girlfriend, but before that I should still find something to do."

"By the way, Aomo, didn't you also take your family to London? And before that you went to Canaan City for work?"

"How is it? Any progress?"

"How are the girls in the Yiluo district of Canaan City?"

He also deliberately avoided mentioning news symbolizing home, indeed making a great effort to shift the topic and warm the atmosphere.

For this he even brought out one of the three high‑frequency topics of the young male collective:

Opposite sex!

By the way, the other two are games and politics.

But he understands that his friend's fulfilling life leaves little time for games, and the account has been offline for a long time.

Moreover, Mr. Linton has never been interested in political keyboard warfare, nor does he care about debates between organic and inorganic parties.

【A novel app that has run stably for years, comparable to the old‑version chase‑worm app that everyone uses, huanyuanapp.】

By comparison…… Aomo was actually the first person to point him to the game‑watching ticket that let him find this world!

Don't look at his usual appearance of being insulated from opposite‑sex topics; he is actually the science representative of the resource zone!

Based on that alone, he doesn't believe that Aomo, who lives together with four girls every day, really hasn't thought about anything.

The four girls' figures are as completely categorized as Wi‑Fi signal strength, their personalities and attributes all differ; this brother surely can't be completely unmoved by all of them!

After knowing each other for a long time, even Bi Ze can try to guess the brother's psychology.

Unfortunately, the line of thought is correct, but the direction of speech is wrong.

Although Aomo would initially, as he thought, intend to rebut the concept of "family",

but his later words left Aomo unable to speak, instead making the twitch at his brow more obvious, until after he finished speaking, the silent youth finally spoke:

"Bar Beast X."

"..."

"I hope you take Bi Ze to visit the Dusk Sea Detective Agency, are you willing?"

"Sure."

"Huh? Is Dusk Sea the Dusk Sea I remember?"

Someone asked in surprise, but was ignored.

"After this, I hope we meet again, bringing this Bi Ze along."

"Okay."