Gears are mindless biological killing machines created by mankind. However, among such abominable bio-weapons, a kind-hearted girl was born. She was the Half-Gear offspring of a human and a Gear, and was a charming young woman with a gentle and compassionate heart. Despite her peaceful disposition, for the sole purpose of being a Gear, she was hunted by humans and her life was constantly threatened.
Ky Kiske, the former leader of the Sacred Order of Holy Knights, a group specializing in warfare against Gears, had his first encounter with the Half-Gear two years ago. For Ky, who had engaged in mortal combat with Gears on the front lines, the encounter with a gentle Gear that despised destruction and carnage was both new and strange.
After that, through several reunions, the existence of the Half-Gear woman gradually transformed into something to be protected in Ky's mind. If one were to define the beginning of their love, it would be this time. Ky decided to offer her safe harbor and defend her.
He knew that this was a rebellious act against the justice and humanity he believed in.
They began to live together. Ky, a public servant, worked diligently to fulfill his official duties, while the Half-Gear waited for Ky to return home and did her best to take care of the household. It did not take long for the two of them to develop a bond of mutual trust and desire for each other's presence. Ky loved her with all his heart, and she sang to and loved him in equal measure. Ky could no longer hide his true love for her.
Since she had no nationality and no family record, the Half-Gear could not legally marry. Ky, knowing that she wanted to propose, asked her to marry him first. The two exchanged vows of eternal love without public recognition. Tormented by guilt…
The two spent a year or so in happiness, which gradually faded away that sense of guilt and immorality that had been nagging at the back of Ky's mind. However, something happened to reawaken those feelings: his wife became pregnant.
As a young couple in love, this result itself was not surprising. They were delighted when the doctor, one of the few people who understood the couple's situation, told them the news, hand in hand.
However, the changes to her body caused by the pregnancy were different from those of a human’s. Her abdomen had swelled to the size of a human halfway through pregnancy in about a week. Her growth was much too rapid. Ky was once again confronted with the fact that she was a Gear and that the child in her belly was also a Gear. The sense of guilt that had been lying dormant in his heart rekindled at once, and the doctor's report was a dark cloud hovering over Ky's mind.
“I can't see the fetus. It appears to be encased in a hard shell.”
"...I don’t... What does that mean?”
Ky asked, feeling his eyes darken as he started to lose hope.
“The Gear... Pardon me... Your wife seems to be oviparous..."
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The long-standing Crusades, the name given to the war against Gears, had left devastating damage to major cities around the world, leaving many people without a livelihood. But still, people had to live. The ultimate concern for many was simply "to live." People at that time avoided the ravages of war and worked together to develop new land and rebuild cities.
As their efforts bore fruit and the reconstruction of the city progressed, life became more stable, and problems that had remained hidden until then began to surface. The community that had been formed to focus solely on "living" had become a melting pot of many different ideas, philosophies, and religious beliefs. Ironically, it was not until the reconstruction of the city that people became aware of this abnormal situation. Fortunately, the people of that time, who were painfully aware of the bitterness of war, did not engage in major conflicts, and those who shared a common ideology and religious beliefs naturally diverged and re-formed their own societies.
Under these circumstances, officials from the United Nations invested vast amounts of capital to support the communities that were being formed. As a result, they gained a powerful voice and influence over these communities, and eventually succeeded in gaining control over the whole of Europe and western Eurasia.
Thus, the world became polarized in terms of the structure of governance: the power of the United Nations member states versus that of other states and municipalities.
In recent years, seeking to further strengthen their control, the United Nations embarked on a national restructuring. This was a major transformation of the system, in which the national government they controlled was divided into three regions, each ruled by its own king. To date, two kingdoms have already been established, with only one remaining: Illyria, where Ky lived. When this country, which had already been named the United Kingdoms of Illyria, was born, it would only be the second largest in the world in terms of total area, but it would have the largest commercial market in the world. There was no doubt that it would be the center of humanity’s reconstruction.
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On the same day Ky learned of his wife’s condition, he accepted an invitation to appear before the United Nations. In a small, gloomy, conference room, he was surrounded by people representing the Senate of the United Nations. He wondered what the sudden order to appear meant. If it had been discovered that he was harboring a Gear, they would not have summoned him with something as leisurely as a letter. They could surround his home with a large army if they had to. He could not let his guard down.
“International Police Force Captain
Ky Kiske, reporting for duty.”
“You have been called in here today for one reason: to ask for your cooperation.”
Ky was relieved; it was not about his wife. His mind regained its composure.
“I am a public servant under the jurisdiction of the United Nations and will not disobey a proper order. However, do you have the authority to issue such orders to me?"
It was a check and balance. At the same time, it was also an attempt to discover the true nature of the organization known as the Senate.
“This isn’t an order… it’s cooperation. As I said a moment ago, did I not?”
“Understood. Then, what is it you need my cooperation for?”
A moment of silence. The man with the low voice coughed before he spoke again.
“I want you to be the king of the Kingdom of Illyria.”
Ky was surprised by this unexpected statement.
“The Kingdom of Illyria will be born soon. At the beginning of the new year, a referendum will be held to choose the king. I would like you to run in this election.”
“You are a hero. You’re a genius in swordsmanship and law, and at a young age you became the leader of the Sacred Order of Holy Knights. In addition, you are a handsome man.”
"Indeed. You will be quite popular with the people.”
"We promise to support you to the fullest extent of our ability. If that sounds appealing to you. What do you think?”
Ky hesitated. In fact, he had seriously considered running for king before. Becoming king meant that he would be able to change the world and gain real power over it. For the sake of his suffering people, his wife and unborn child… he wanted to change the world, and this was the perfect opportunity! But what was the Senate's true intention? Ky decided that he should wait and see before giving an answer.
“I am honored by your nomination, but I am a military officer. I don't think I can engage in politics…"
He chose his words carefully and reserved his attitude. He did not expect a straightforward response.
“That’s alright, you don't have to play politics. You can sit on the throne in silence.”
There was no better response; Ky understood completely. They wanted a puppet… an ornamental king who would do their bidding. What was frightening was that they didn't even try to hide it. It was a sign of their confidence, and they had already decided that he was someone they could play with. Ky needed time to think now.
"...I can't make an immediate decision. I'd like some time to think about it.”
"Hmm... Well, that's all right. You may have some time to consider our proposition.”
“Thank you...”
"By the way… Your common-law wife is terribly charming, isn’t she?"
"...What?!”
“I remember seeing your wife somewhere. Now, where was it..?”
A high-pitched voice spoke, the words coming from a grinning mouth. Ky shuddered. They probably knew everything.
"I'm expecting a good answer.”
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That day, Ky Kiske went to his familiar church early in the morning. In front of the statue of the Virgin Mary, he placed his sword beside her and dropped to one knee as if in a crumpled heap. The days of suffering were a staggering burden, weighing down both his heart and body.
The answer was still not clear. There were many different threads of justice to choose from. In the past, he had the courage and pride to fight for the justice he believed in. But now…
Where is my justice? Who is my justice for?
Can I build such a world where humans and Gears coexist?
Am I qualified to lead the world with my many sins as I have..?
Ky kept asking himself these questions. He lost track of how much time had passed before he heard footsteps behind him.
It was rare to hear footsteps at that hour. When he turned around, Ky saw the man whose face he wanted to avoid seeing the most.
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