{1}
"It's only the morning training, and yet you guys are all worn out already? Don't give me that, you brats!"
The furious roar from the instructor rang through the outdoor training grounds.
There are close to a thousand cadet guards, and ten instructors who are in charge of training everyone. While about half the cadet guards have already rose to the second rank and are already carrying out missions, the training grounds were still filled with people everywhere.
"Kagura, Kagurakagura......"
Sheltis was sitting leisurely on the bench at a corner of the training grounds.
He was murmuring the name of Eyriey's friend while staring at the training.
"Ah— can't do it. There is no way I can recognize her. If only they have her picture on the electronic name list."
Everything started from an hour ago.
"There are two people who fulfills the criteria."
After searching for 'Kagura' in Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>'s electronic name list, he had obtained two results. However, there lies the problem.
— There are actually two person named 'Kagura'.
And Sheltis had no way of differentiating which Kagura was the one whom he was searching for.
One of them is from the computer development division of Towers Control, and is in charge of controls management.
The other seemed to be the same as Sheltis - a cadet guard.
"...... So who is the Kagura whom Eyriey was talking about?"
He scanned through the vast training grounds.
Out of the two Kaguras, he had decided to focus his attention on the cadet guard. After coming to the training ground with that intention in mind, he then realized that it was not easy to find a specific person within such a huge area.
The root of that problem lies in the fact that he had no idea how Kagura looks like, and he did not know any of her unique traits either.
"Since it's not easy to find her here, should I try looking at the Towers Control instead...... But I have never went to that floor before."
The other Kagura who is in the computer development division.
The computer development division maintains and manages the mainframe of the whole tower. That division has no direct link with Sheltis, who is a guard. Simply put, that floor is not a place where he could get close to easily.
"...... As with the way things are now, it's not about whether I like it or not. I'll just give them a visit."
He was about to stand up from the bench.
Just then—
A female cadet guard walked past him.
A girl holding onto a pair of crossed rods <Rosario>, with her long sakura-colored hair tied behind her back.
On her beautiful face was a pair of grey eyes that were sharp and serene. Her slender figure could be seen clearly despite the pure white ceremonial clothing that she was wearing. Each of her hand was holding onto a crossed rod <Rosario> crafted out of black gold.
...... Monica?
Just as he was thinking of her name, the other girl turned her head around at the same time as if their thoughts were connected. Her eyes widened.
"Sheltis?"
"Ah, long time no—"
"You idiot!"
He did not have the chance to finish his greeting. Everything happened in an instant.
"Why didn't you tell me you have been discharged?"
"Eh? No, I am discharged, but I am still recuperating, so it's nothing huge."
"— Idiot."
The second 'idiot' from her.
However, that line was filled with gentleness that was missing from the first.
"Even so, you are to report that to me as well. Because I...... well..... I am very worried, you know?"
Monica turned her face to the side, perhaps so that she could use her sakura-colored hair to hide her blushing face.
"...... You're right. Sorry, I didn't think of that."
Thinking back, that was indeed the case. Monica had visited his ward countless times for the past two weeks. She must have been really worried about him.
"I am not demanding an apology from you. Then again, it's great that you are fine now."
Monica took a glance at the empty seat on the bench. Go ahead — after giving her a nod of approval, Monica sat herself on the other empty seat.
"............"
Sheltis sneaked a peek at her side profile.
Monica Esperanto.
She should be a year older than him - a cadet guard who is eighteen years old. She used be an apprentice-Priestess, but she changed class to be a cadet guard.
"Since you are not participating in the training today, that means that you have not recovered fully yet?"
"The doctor's instruction is that I am banned from training for a week. Only after that does she finally agree to me recuperating at my home."
"What. That's not long, but not short either."
Monica seemed to find that pretty interesting, and let out a light laugh.
"It will not be easy for you when you return back to the squad after your recuperation period is over. The term 'just recovered' does not exist in the dictionary of the instructor."
"...... Spare me from that."
Monica's ceremonial clothing was slightly dirty and her face was glistering from her sweat. She had probably just gone through the hellish training of Instructor Yumelda.
"Speaking of which."
Monica sorted her feelings a little after ending that topic on a happy note.
"It's obvious you'll be continuing with the training, but will you be accepting the missions under the rewards system as well?"
"After my body recovers, since I'll not be able to take part in the test that is required to get myself promoted as a regular guard if I do not take up missions to earn myself the reward points. I'll have to work hard on that."
After a moment of silence.
"Have you decided on which team to join?"
"How can that be? Monica, you should know very well about how I am being ostracized by the rest of the cadet guards. I'll probably be rejected even if I want to."
"...... I see."
Disappointment and relief. The two conflicting feelings were sandwiched in Monica's words.
And next.
"Well—"
"Actually—"
At the exact same moment.
The both of them spoke and looked at each other.
"D-Did you want to say something?"
"You too, Monica."
Monica's face went red from embarrassment as Sheltis pointed that out.
"I-I am fine with saying it after you, so you go first— Hey, why are you laughing...... I am being serious here!"
"Ahaha. Sorry, it just feels really funny."
She has always given him the impression as someone who is always calm and collected, so her flustered expression was something rare, and she looked really cute. However, he would probably receive a harsh scolding from her should he say that to her.
"You can go first."
"...... Okay. I'll go straight to the point then."
She coughed lightly once, and then—
"I hope you can join the team that I have created."
— He had never heard her talking about it while he was hospitalized.
She must have really wanted to tell him about it, but she dare not do so.
"I have been thinking about it for a long time......"
The girl's hands that were on her thighs were trembling, as though she was releasing the emotional feelings inside her.
"Before I met you, I have always been a failure. I am very clear about the fact that no team will want me...... but deep down, I was still holding on to that glimmer of hope...... I naively believed that one day, there will be a team that will welcome me in....... But that won't do. I will never change if I continue to wait passively."
She bit her lips and looked into the sky.
"So this time, I want to invite you into the team that I have created myself. My abilities are not as impressive as yours, and I have no experience as a team leader. But at the very least...... there is something that I can do."
"I will become a team captain who trust my team members more than any other captains of the other teams."
It was as though she was telling him her dreams.
Her grey eyes which originally gave people the impression of calmness were suddenly giving off a shine - they were lit with a passion that was never seen from her before.
"And so, I hope you can join my team."
"I......"
"I can wait if you need time to consider. You can just reject me if you are unwilling to do so."
"No, that's not what I meant!"
Sheltis raised his hands and waved them around when he saw Monica looking at him with an uneasy expression in her eyes.
"It's not that I am unwilling...... I was just surprised. I thought that the previous mission was the last time I will team up together with Monica."
"Why?"
"....... I thought that the other teams would have approached Monica already."
Just as he had discussed with Ilis back then, Monica's capabilities are definitely not poor.
After the fight against the Yuugenshu at the Floating Archipelagos <Lagoon>, she might have regained her confidence. During the two weeks when he was in the hospital, there was a possibility of her joining a team which she liked. Either that, or she might have already gathered some teammates to set up a new team.
"D-Didn't I say it just now!? I...... you know...... I wish form a team with you."
Monica blushed as she explained with an almost inaudible voice.
She was waiting for him. And despite the fact that she could start her recruitment first, she deliberately waited for him, and had thus delayed the formation of the team.
"We were together during the team battles as well, so...... it feels like there's an affinity between us."
"............"
— That's right. And that's the reason why Sheltis was surprised.
He had never dreamed that someone would invite him into a team.
He is the only cadet guard to wear black among all the others who wear white, and he did not reveal everything about himself. Not only do the people around him look at him with strange glances, most of the teams were filled as well, so there were no place for him to join in.
Under those circumstances, should he want to earn the reward points, he could only hope for teams that are recruiting temporary members, or to perhaps sneak into the existing teams whenever a mission pops up. He had already prepared himself to do all that.
"...... I'll confirm with you once more. You sure you are fine with me?"
"Is there anything that is holding you back?"
That concise question stabbed deep into his heart like a sharp blade.
"Well...... I am personally very concerned about it."
— There is no way I can reveal my past.
That I am someone who had fallen into the Garden of Corrupted Song <Eden> three years ago, and is officially proclaimed by the authorities as dead.
The twin sword wielder who has returned from the Garden of Corrupted Song <Eden>. He had lost his shinryoku that should exist in all human beings, and instead he brought along with him mateki, which is the same as those in Yuugenshu.
"I am feeling very uneasy about myself."
"Why?"
"...... Perhaps because of how mysterious I am compared to all the other cadet guards."
Sheltis bit on his lips and looked upwards into the eyes of Monica.
The twin swords wielder with a mysterious past — there is the possibility of him bringing mistrust to the whole team due to his existence. It is a team that Monica created after much difficulty, but the problem of mistrust may arise because of one heresy cadet guard.
"I...... can't quite talk about myself. Even if Monica is willing to believe in me, the other teammates will still treat me with mistrust. That will obviously lead to the breakdown of the camaraderie of team, which will in turn be a problem for you. Therefore—"
"So that's what you are worrying about."
"...... Eh?"
Oh you — she heaved a sigh while smiling wryly.
With her arms crossed in front of her chest and her eyes narrowed, she looked just like a mother who was about to enlighten her naive child.
"Isn't that something very normal? Everyone will have one or two secrets that they cannot reveal to anyone. It's the same for me, and the same for you as well. If there are secrets that cannot be revealed, then there are secrets that can be shared with everyone as well. It all depends on you."
"But."
"No buts. Think about my words carefully. Is there anything wrong with what I had said?"
He thought about it repeatedly...... and finally, Sheltis nodded his head hesitantly.
"...... There's nothing wrong at all."
"Then there's no problems here. I want the relationship between the teammates to be built on trust, and not prying deep into one another's heart. Should there be anyone who meddles with the privacy of others, I'll definitely reject him."
"............"
"I am not sure about the secrets that you are holding, but I am not planning to ask, nor will I allow the teammates to do so. Should there be that sort of person...... Hmm? What's wrong? Why are you being so silent all of the sudden—"
"............ Ahaha, ahahahahahaha, ahaha!"
Unable to contain his laughter any longer, Sheltis laughed so hard his body had curled up into the 'ㄑ' character.
"Hey, I am being really serious—"
"Ah, ahaha...... S-Sorry, I have no idea why I am laughing as well....... It's probably because I am feeling really happy right now."
He gently brushed away the tears at the corner of his eyes.
He never thought there would be someone who is so passionate about getting him into her team.
Despite being exiled once by Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>, and also the fact that he is carrying the curse of mateki in his body, there is actually someone who wants him. Upon realizing that fact, his body relaxed immediately, and what followed next was the urge to laugh out loudly.
"Geez. Is the condition of your head injuries actually worsening?"
Monica stared at him with a dumbfounded expression and gave a sigh.
"Maybe. Mmm, thanks to you, I feel much better now all of the sudden."
...... If the person is Monica.
Despite the mateki in him, he wants to repay her trust. That was his heartfelt feelings.
"Well then. I'll be in your care from now on, Monica."
"Y-Yeah. It is me, the newbie, who needs your assistance."
She was a little shy and a little embarrassed at the same time.
Monica replied in stutters without knowing what sort of expression she should be putting on.
"I am really sorry though. You have finally got the team running, and yet I am still recuperating from my injuries."
"One week passes by really quickly. Moreover, there's a bunch of procedures that I will have to take care of first. For instance, I'll have to register the new team at the Law Enforcement Bureau, apply for the communication frequencies for our team, and so on. But most importantly, we have to get one more team member."
The subjugation of the harmful beasts, protecting the VIPs as well as investigating the Floating Archipelagos <Lagoon>.
All missions issued by Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>, including those from the Law Enforcement Bureau, generally require the teams to have at least three people - which means himself, Monica and one other person. Though they can get a temporary member for the missions if it is something really urgent, for the sake of the stability of the team, it is still better for them to get a fixed teammate.
"I have no idea who to get. What about you, Monica?"
"I have someone in mind. I'll say this first though - that someone is a little strange. That person has no desire of being promoted to a regular guard despite being in the lowest rank of the cadet guards. Why don't I introduce you to that person right now?"
With that, Monica began to move. From the direction in which she was heading to, it seemed like she was not walking towards the training grounds. Instead, she was heading to the main path which will lead them to Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>.
"Urm, what's the reason for that person not wanting to promote to a regular guard?"
"In the words of that girl, it's 'because it is a part-time job'. She only trains for about ten days a month, and the rest of the days are spent on her main job, which is research. She is in the computer development division of Towers Control, which is the division in charge of controls management."
"So she's a girl...... and from Towers Control?"
Sounds like he had heard it from somewhere.
Computer development division of Towers Control — he was very clear about that. Back when he was searching for Kagura who was recommended to him by Eyriey via the electronic name list, there are two people who fits the criteria. One of them is a cadet guard, while the other belongs to the division which Monica was talking about.
Meaning, they are both the same person?
............ Eh?
He could feel a sudden chill down his spine. A chill which he had never experienced before, and one that surpassed any fear.
Three years ago was the time when he had fallen into the Garden of Corrupted Song <Eden>.
And two years ago was when he was exiled from Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>.
"............ What do you...... mean by that?"
"Just like what I had said. Please tell me the incidents that has left the deepest impression in you three years and two years ago. Don't tell me you have forgotten them?"
Kagura's tone was incredibly calm and unchanging like a machine. However, her words sounded undeniably sharp and cold to his ears, just like icicles.
— Sweat streaked past his cheeks.
He could finally understand the meaning behind the words that she had said at the beginning.
"Collecting data is an interest of mine. I dare say that I possess a greater volume of data as compared to Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>'s data vault. And they are much more accurate too."
The data detailing everything about him up to three years ago that was deleted off from Tenketsu Palace <Sophia> — could someone have duplicated the data and kept it for their own use?
...... If there is a copy of my data of three years ago.
...... This means that Kagura has been suspicious of me right from the very beginning.
She was suspicious of the twin swords wielder named Sheltis.
She suspected that Sheltis and the person who had died three years ago after falling into the Garden of Corrupted Song <Eden> could be the same person.
"Are you unable to tell me? My question should not be a difficult one to answer."
"............"
There was no way he could say it.
He is a heretic who was infected with mateki after falling into the Garden of Corrupted Song <Eden>. Tenketsu Palace <Sophia> will definitely be thrown into chaos should they come to know about how a person like him is undertaking the role of a guard here.
And should he spark a huge uproar, he will definitely be exiled from the place permanently. More importantly, he will never get to fulfill his promise to become Ymy's Sennenshi.
"...... Can you change your question to something else?"
"Sorry, but this is the only question that I want to ask."
Monica took a step towards Kagura, who was putting on an aggressive tone.
"Kagura, this is not like you."
Her voice was calm and strong at the same time, just like the surface of a frozen mirror.
"I do not know your reason for this, but can't you be more flexible and change the question?"
"I can be very obstinate at times. Moreover, what I am doing may be for your own good, Monica."
"? What—"
Just as Monica was narrowing her eyes in surprise.
"Hey— Is Kagura around—? Please give me an answer regardless of whether you are in there or not—!"
The mechanical door opened all of the sudden, and a girl in overalls with fluffy orange hair walked straight into the room.
"Eyriey?"
"Ah, so Sheltis is here too. What, I was thinking that you may not be able to find Kagura, so here I am talking a look at the situation. Ah, so Monica's here as well. Long time no see—"
Eyriey was originally heading to the upper levels of the tower along with the machine crystal <Ilis>. She happily waved her hands in the direction of Monica before turning her body to face the owner of the room.
"...... So it's Eyriey."
The edges of Kagura's lips broke into a slight smile.
That was the first time the girl was putting on such an expression.
"So you knew both Sheltis and Monica? What a problem...... I never expect the you to be the cause of all these things."
"Hmm? But all I did is to introduce Sheltis to you."
"That's what I meant!"
Kagura suddenly threw a tantrum for some unknown reason.
"Well well. Let's put that aside for now. How's things going for you, Sheltis? Are you successful with the negotiations?"
"Urm...... Well...... Nope."
"Oh—"
Eyriey shot a meaningful glance at Kagura.
"Well, Kagura is busy most of the time. I see, I guess it's better if I am in charge of this. After I am done with the matters of the machine crystal <Ilis>—"
"P-Please hold on a second, Eyriey."
Kagura stood up hurriedly.
She was a lot shorter than Eyriey. Out of the people Sheltis knew, she is probably of about the same height as Syun-rei. Even after taking into consideration that she is a girl, her stature is petite in comparison.
"I never expect this...... that you have actually involved yourself in the analysis to the possible regularity in the appearance of Yuugenshu."
"Actually, I am the one whom Sheltis approached immediately. I was busy then, so I asked him to seek your assistance instead. But since the negotiation is not done yet, I might as well—"
"D-Didn't I ask you to hold on a second!?"
Kagura wove her fists about and yelled.
"Sheltis...... though I am very unwilling, I will agree to your earlier request."
"Eh? But......"
He had yet to answer the question in exchange for her assistance.
"It's fine. I have already found what I should be doing, and it had appeared right before me."
She stared hard at Eyriey and pointed in the direction of her nose. It was as though she was not even paying any attention to Sheltis.
"Listen up, Eyriey - let's have a showdown between us! We shall see who can correctly churn out the patterns behind the appearance of the Yuugenshu!"
"Hmm? What? I have no idea what's going on, but I guess I'll accept your challenge."
Eyriey agreed readily despite her being all confused about the situation. On the other hand, Kagura was putting on a sinister smile on her face.
"...... Fufufu, I will definitely show you my skills this time round. With the pride of the people of Nell on the line, I will definitely not lose to you, a representative of the human race!"
"Eh? I am representing the human race here? How very embarrassing."
"What's there to be embarrassed about!? You should be showing some nervousness at the very least— Ah............"
And next.
As she coordinated herself to the singing voice of the Queen, Meimel began to sing with her own voice as well.
Yu/ Uhw =C r-sanc uc Eden
<Under the foils of the slumbering Eden>
term-l-pile xel, xin, ole fusen elchel
<The falling stars, time and dreams covered the eyes and faces>
Shinryoku <melody> — 'Seventh Heaven Rhythm <Sophia Code>'.
A mysterious melody which maintains Hyouketsu Kyoukai, it's a song of prayer that is passed down only to the Priestesses of Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>.
xearcs let laphin yahe, bie omia hec lihit clar
<There is no key to the doors-of-speech which is sketched by the transparent fingertip>
noi-roo-xin, noi melras I noe-l-habes pianic cia eyen
<In the never-ending world, the jade-like phantoms had stopped their laments>
It was at that very instant.
It is incredibly difficult to reach the instance where the two singing voices resonate, but it was the point where it sounded especially beautiful — and that is why Meimel loves the arrival of that very instance the most.
The feeling of the tone ringing in the cold and yet clear world of their throbbing souls.
=C hypn phenoria, Eec qhaon nes ei getie, nephies paf lef bis cley kis ei roos
<Sleep, children. Your wings are still young, and branches of safety are still too far away>
=C hypn phenoria, Eec wat nes ei getie bies killis cley kis ei mihas
<Sleep, children. Your feet are still weak, and this frozen land is still too painful>
She closed both of her eyes.
Meimel sunk even deeper into the hard and transparent azure ice crystals.
{2}
"...... Everyone's working really hard."
Sheltis stared at the training while sitting on the bench located at the outdoor training fields.
It was the team battles between the cadet guards.
A team of two great sword wielders were fighting against an archer and a heavy gunner in the artificial desert terrain. At the forest terrains further away, the cadet guard with throwing knives was up against a dual sword wielder.
Mock bullets were used for the guns, while the swords had their edges removed. However, the fights were no less intense than actual battles.
"You seemed pretty bored, Sheltis."
Instructor Yumelda walked towards him while stomping on the sands. She was wearing a blue suit without creases, and the cigarette in her mouth was still emitting swirling smoke.
"Get yourself up immediately. You'll be up next for the team battle."
"...... I am still recuperating."
"I know that. It's just a joke."
The instructor said that as she looked at the slowly rising smoke. Contrary to her words, her expressions were serious and the tone of her voice did not sound like she was joking.
"So when will you recover?"
"I should be able to resume training next week."
The cigarette which was thin like a needle was twirling about in the instructor's fingers. With his eyes chasing the path of the spinning cigarette, Sheltis told her just as how he was instructed by the doctor.
"Next week? That's boring."
"...... You know, I do hope you can show some sympathy to a patient who is still in his recovery."
"That's not what I meant. I was planning to get you on a mission."
The instructor sat on the bench. Her gaze were sharp as thorns.
"Fourteen hours ago, we lost contact with a group of cadet guards that were sent to patrol the nature sector."
"...... Was there an accident?"
"It all started when we did not receive a scheduled response from the team despite it being way past the zero hours. In accordance to paragraph four of article number fifty eight of the Tower's Law, we issued orders for a team of cadres guards to be on standby. As we were still unable to come into contact with them three hours later, we had deemed them to be in some sort of trouble. Four hours after that, which is seven o'clock this morning, six elites of the cadet guards were chosen to form a rescue team, and were dispatched to investigate on the matter."
It's something that happens every year — the instructor lifted her head to look at the rising cigarette smoke as she murmured those words.
"I think you should know this as well, but such things will happen every year. It could be a malfunctioning of the communication devices, the encountering of a Yuugenshu...... there are plenty of causes, but we do manage to rescue them successfully for most of the cases. I was originally planning to draft you into the rescue team."
"You are planning to recommend me?"
There is only one condition to be successfully drafted into a rescue team, and that is exceptional performance."
Should the capabilities of the rescue team be too weak, they will just end up in the same situation of the predecessors. To prevent that from occurring, it is stipulated that the rescue team must be made up of outstanding cadet guards that were drafted in by the instructors personally.
"I won't deny the fact that I do think highly of you, but there is another reason for me to recommend you this time round."
"Another reason?"
"It's the injuries on your head. I have no idea how you get yourself injured like that, but it does not seem minor, am I right? In other words, you may become the next person to be in the KIA list if you were unlucky. I had thinking of making you see look at those involved in an accident, so that you can learn a lesson or two from them."
If something was to go wrongly, he could very well be the next person to appear on the KIA list.
He had personally witnessed the scenes of accidents before, so he could understand how horrible it is. He reminded himself that he must never make the same mistakes.
"I will be more careful from now on."
"Of course."
Her tone was cold and straightforward, as per usual. However, there some other expressions mixed in to the stern face that the instructor usually wears.
Silence fall upon the bench—
"Ah— finally! I've found you!"
However, that was immediately broken by the shouts of a girl.
"I'sa, it's fine for you to appear all of the sudden, but can calm yourself down?"
"Ah...... Uhhhh. Sorry for my interruption, Instructor Yumelda. It's a pleasure to see you here."
The girl pinched the edges of her skirt and bowed respectfully.
She was a girl with golden twintails which was shimmering brightly under the rays of the sun. She was wearing a pure white ceremonial clothing, but the bottom half was replaced with a skirt instead. On her left shoulder was the badge of a regular guard.
"Eh? That girl from before?"
Sheltis blinked in surprise when he saw the familiar person.
It was something that happened two weeks ago. She was one of the two regular guards who were his and Monica's opponents during the team battles. If he remember right, her name is......
"I am I'sa Isu Ishmeal, a regular guard who uses shinryoku-arts. My class <type> is a 'puppeteer'...... Don't tell me you have forgotten me already?"
The young girl flashed a proud smile.
"I do remember. So, do you have any business with me?"
"Of course! I want to have my revenge for our last fight!"
The young girl pointed her finger in Sheltis' direction as her hair and skirt swayed in her movements.
"Calm down, I'sa. You are not making sense."
Just then, a stout dual gunner suddenly grabbed her by her arm. Sheltis recognized him as well. He was the regular guard whom I'sa paired up with. He remembered that his name is 'Jin'.
"Urm, you two are the opponents whom I had faced back during the team battles, right?"
"It's great that you can remember us. We have learned our lessons from our last defeat, so we want to request for a rematch."
Contrary to I'sa, Jin was calm and composed.
"Fu fu fu, we'll not lose to you this time round. Since that last defeat, I requested my Onee-sama to conduct some special training for me. Wait till you see the new frontiers that I reached after much difficulty—"
"It's not referring to how the control over the number of 'puppets' have increased from four to five, or something along those lines. Right?"
"............ Ehhhhh!?"
Upon hearing those murmurs of Sheltis, I'sa pressed her hands against her chest and straightened herself as though she was struck by lightning.
...... Eh, so I actually guessed it right?
The four huge metal balls which floated around her. He was just randomly saying how the numbers have increased from the previous four to five.
"J-Jin, this is not good! This person here actually knew about my secret techniques! What should we do? He must have seen through your plan of using the dual pistols at close range as well!"
"...... Why are you revealing my secret plans?"
"But......"
The young girl was complaining to the dual gunner with teary eyes.
As for the person who was being complained to, he looked like he was already used it.
"Don't you think it's about time you two stop with your couple's acts?"
The slightly dumbfounded instructor crushed the empty cigarette box with her bare hand.
"Sorry for the wasted trip. You two came at the wrong time today."
"Eh? Why?"
"That's because this idiot had injured himself while on a mission, and is currently recuperating."
"Eh——!?"
The girl let out another loud scream yet again.
"What are you doing, you idiot!? Do you know how tough it was for me everyday back when I was training together with my Onee-sama!? T-To think that——!"
"Why is everyone calling me an idiot!?"
First Monica, then the instructor, and now this girl here.
{3}
"Mmm—"
Sheltis stared to and fro the ceiling and the piece of paper in his hand as he laid on his bed in his room.
He turned around to lay on his sides, and mumbled,
"...... What a headache."
It's a copy of the official reply from the Government Sector. Something that Leon passed it to Run, who then passed it to him.
The contents had them protesting against Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>'s unauthorized landing on the Floating Archipelagos <Lagoon>.
"It's all about them protesting. They did not give any answers to the most important question, which is that of the facility. This is quite unlikely, but since they insisted on not knowing the things that were witnessed personally by the guards of Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>...... does that mean that the Government Sector is very certain about it?"
The underground facility which was incubating the Yuugenshu.
And also the girl in the image who is surrounded in mystery, and claims herself as the Forbidden Crystal.
Since they were dead set on denying it, it means that they must hold a lot of confidence to do it. However, it is not known if they were really clueless about it, or if they were confident of eliminating the evidence before Tenketsu Palace <Sophia> could request and start on a new investigation.
....... There would be no way of investigating on this should the evidence be removed.
"Ah— Damn! How can I possibly ignore this!"
It is stated on the official document that they will be holding a conference next month.
The envoys of Tenketsu Palace <Sophia> will head down to a place prepared by the Government Sector. The reason for Leon to pass him that copy was a message from him asking Sheltis to 'come along as well'.
"....... I'll have to tag along after reading this official document, huh. Damn, I've been had by Leon. I was finding it strange all along - how can he allow a cadet guard to see this classified document!"
He jumped off his bed and stared at the papers in his hand.
"I wonder who else will be going. Me...... and the other witness, Monica? There should also be the upper brass from either Towers Control or General Affairs Council. Then I'll have to add in the cadet guards who will be on a protecting mission, as well as a handful of regular guards, and then......"
"Sheltis, you are to head to the outdoor training grounds immediately."
Just as he was about to sort out his thoughts, he was interrupted by an announcement coming from the speakers located in the corner of the ceilings.
"...... I've said this a lot of times already, Instructor Yumelda, but I cannot participate in the trainings—"
"Our dear Priestess is about to give her speech."
The Priestess' speech.
He could not recall any scheduling of such an event.
"It was something decided while you were still hospitalized. You should know that today's the day where the handover ceremony of the barrier will be conducted between the Queen and the Priestess?"
"I do know that."
A change of the prayer. The Queen can only rest for three days every month. The handover ceremony is a ritual to allow the Priestesses to maintain the barrier while the Queen is resting. No one knows what sort of spells are used, or how the ceremony will be conducted. It is something passed down in secret between the Queen and her Priestesses only.
"The ceremony has just ended. Priestess Meimel has successfully took over Hyouketsu Kyoukai. Priestess Ymy will personally relay that news to the public. All staff and guards of Tenketsu Palace <Sophia> are to gather at the outdoors training grounds."
The Priestess will relay the news to everyone in Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>.
— And Ymy's the one doing it?
"I heard it is something decided during the directors meeting. There are many people inTenketsu Palace <Sophia>, as well as those residents of the living sector, who are worried about how the infiltration of the Yuugenshu will happen once more. This is a measure taken to quell the fears in them. Now stop wasting time and get here immediately. Lateness will not be tolerated."
"Eh? Ah, wait, Instructor...... Geez, why can't she tell me that sooner?"
He sighed in the direction of the silent speakers.
After slowly expelling the air in his lungs, Sheltis stopped lying on his back and got to his feet.
"There's over a thousand guards, and there should be more than ten thousand working staff in Tenketsu Palace <Sophia>...... That's a really incredible number."
Probably not everyone will be attending this, but the number of participants should be somewhere in the thousands.
That has not changed even after she has became a Priestess. He's dumbfounded by how dazzling and straightforward his childhood friend is. She is an undeniably kind girl.
— And that's the Ymy whom I want to protect.
Ever since he had made up his mind on that, Ymy has never changed till now.
"Yeah...... This tower is just so tall, so it will need the support from everyone."
He will have to obtain the highest position, the rank of a Sennenshi, with his own hands.
However, he should not be overly rash in his quest for it. Should he focus on only the peak, he will definitely miss out those beside him who has fallen and need his help.
"And so, please, do not ever be reckless and put yourself at risk. "
It was as though she was deliberately conveying that line to him, who was ostracized by the rest of the cadet guards.
"...... You don't have to worry. I feel the same way too, Ymy."
There is no need for him to be frustrated, nor is there a need for him to work hard by himself.
All he needs to do is to help out the fellow companions in the tower as much as he can, and make his way towards the peak one step at a time. Because Ymy will be waiting for him.
"I'll try my best."
Sheltis murmured and turned his back towards Ymy.
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