EP.195 A Story from Afar. Those Left in the Military Nation
Messing things up is easy, but organizing them is hard... is surprisingly nothing more than an illusion.
Messing something up requires a long time and consistent effort, whereas organizing it takes but a moment. It only feels that way because it is a nuisance; the fact that even a room neglected for a long time becomes clean after just half a day of cleaning makes it clear which is superior.
The Military Nation was an efficient sluggard. It would put off cleaning its room for as long as possible, only to dispose of all the trash inside at once.
Raising a commotion of this scale required long preparation and a resolve to fight to the death, but half a day was enough for the Military Nation to clean it up.
The Military Police led by Historia cleaned up the back alleys as quickly and simply as putting away disheveled items. The trash, who continued the commotion without knowing when to quit, were disposed of or arrested, and those related to them were dragged to the Military Police headquarters to undergo severe investigations.
The involved parties were investigated while fully gripped with terror.
The Military Nation's way of dealing with trash is as fuel. They burn the human trash they lock up and use them as resources to run the nation called the Military Nation.
And when cleaning a room, things that could still be of use are usually thrown away together.
Even people without any guilt couldn't feel at ease. They entered the Military Police headquarters bracing themselves for all sorts of harsh treatment.
And they walked out with all their limbs intact, bewildered. This unexpected fortune gradually turned their panic into joy.
Who cares about the truth? They were safe.
Thus, those who were not thrown away rejoiced in the fact that they remained and savored their daily lives.
"...Did you calculate even this? You meticulous bastard."
Historia muttered as she took a magic herb cigarette from her cigarette case.
The Piper. The most veiled existence even in the Military Nation's taboo, the Hameln Incident. Now that he had revealed his identity, uncovering the truth behind the mere commotion in the Military Nation's back alleys took a back seat.
Rather, investigating the incident could inversely expose information about the Piper. Interrogating ordinary citizens about Huey, Hughes, or the Sorcerer would itself be exposing clues.
Therefore, the Military Nation halted its investigation at the point of punishing the criminals who had been exposed on the surface. Instead, it poured all its strength into tracking the Piper.
"No. That bastard must have been entangled in the truth from the very beginning. If we just catch him, we can hear the whole story."
Historia, who had been muttering with her long legs resting on the desk, put the cigarette in her mouth. As she chewed on the tip out of habit, she brought the hammer of her pistol to the end of the cigarette. Then, she pulled the hammer back as far as it would go.
Click.
The hammer struck, creating a large spark. Historia, having lit the cigarette just like that, took a deep breath in, closed her eyes for a moment, and then spoke.
"Signaler."
『This is Signaler Captain Aby. Did you call?』
The golem next to Historia reacted. Without even looking its way, Historia exhaled the air she had deeply inhaled. Pfffoooo. The long sigh rose up, carrying color as it coiled around.
Historia, who had taken a moment to enjoy a cigarette amidst her busyness, asked blankly.
"Why did you stop guiding me?"
『Question. What matter are you referring to?』
"You know what I'm talking about. Why did you stop guiding me right after I was engulfed in darkness?"
Guessing that she was being interrogated, Aby pulled her arms back and answered.
『I will correct my insubordination. However, when the Signal Corps, including myself, made our judgment, pursuing further was impossible.』
Bang. Historia suddenly slammed the desk. A fist imprint formed on the steel tabletop.
Historia remained expressionless, but perhaps because she had a cigarette in her mouth, a gnashing sound came from her lips.
"Why do you get to decide that?"
Despite Historia's chilling demeanor, the golem remained calm.
『Even excluding the two Beast Kings, the enemy includes two Six-Star General-level powerhouses. In contrast, you were unarmed, General. If you had fought them head-on, you would have suffered a major loss.』
"I told you I was fine."
『You are one of the Military Nation's most powerful forces. We cannot send such a force out without any support.』
"So the signalers are the masters now, huh."
『I will correct it.』
The golem bowed its head. Historia, having lost the desire to scold further, clicked her tongue and leaned back in her chair.
The reason she didn't reprimand the signaler any further was that even Historia thought it was impossible to pursue him on her own.
"Tsk. How did that bastard end up in Tantalus? He shouldn't have been put in because of the Piper incident."
『He was arrested on charges of illegal gambling.』
"Illegal gambling, and he was locked up in Tantalus?"
『Negative. It was penal labor.』
"That's the same thing."
『At the time, Tantalus had just experienced a massive breakout instigated by Colonel Rankart. It was not in a more dangerous state than anticipated.』
"Hah. What does it matter if it's dangerous? What matters is that he's in a situation where he can never climb back out."
Every time Historia grumbled, the embers pulsed. The bright red flame repeatedly flushed crimson and turned pitch black, breathing heavily.
Historia, who finished her thoughts while a single cigarette burned to ash, muttered.
"There must have been some doubt. I'll have to look at the incident log later."
『Shall I prepare it?』
"No. Later. If we catch that bastard Huey, all the problems will be solved."
To a smoker who gains pleasure from burning cigarettes, is the cigarette an object of hatred or an object of affection? One thing is certain: the cigarette does not love the smoker. After fulfilling its service for the length of its existence, it leaves her without a word, leaving behind only pure white smoke.
Before long, the cigarette burned out mercilessly. A short meeting had passed, so it was time to wait for a long parting.
Historia crushed the cigarette into the ashtray and said.
"So, what did Headquarters say?"
The smoke was thick, but the golem, which did not breathe, was unfazed. Without coughing or holding its breath, the golem spoke.
『Conveying. They have accepted your operational plan and decided to pursue the Piper and four others.』
"It's approved? That's unexpected."
『Elaborating. The Piper is a key figure holding the secrets of Hameln, and there are circumstances indicating he is deeply involved in various incidents that occurred in Tantalus. Furthermore, his danger level has skyrocketed as he has formed ties with the Progenitor and others. Additionally, his modus operandi is similar to that of the Level 5 dangerous subject Rankart, so the military authorities are accelerating his capture. This is Headquarters' judgment.』
The cigarette had left, but good news was heard. Historia smirked.
"Not bad. No matter what, it would've been overwhelming to search this vast land alone. It'll be better with the signalers' coordination."
A remark implying that if permission hadn't been granted, she would have left her post and searched for him herself. Aby pretended not to understand the implication. Instead, she conveyed only clear facts as always.
『From today onward, I will be absent for verification. After this, Signaler Yuel will assist you, General.』
"You'll be absent? Why?"
『Warning. This information is classified. Will you access it with your general's authority?』
Order matters related to the signalers are initially restricted from access even if the other party is a general. If Historia had been a normal officer, she would never have received an answer from the golem.
However, Historia was a Six-Star General. Also, she was not one to spare her authority.
"Let me hear it."
『Request approved. Then I will explain.』
The golem straightened its posture and spoke.
『I was the signaler in charge of Tantalus. I lost contact immediately after the collapse of the Bottomless Pit, returned on my own, and witnessed this incident while staying in Amitengrad.』
"Hmm."
『However, the possibility was raised that I made contact with the Piper during the return process. I denied that fact, but the Piper is an unknown entity whose identity and abilities are unclear. Therefore, I am heading to Headquarters, and my disposition will be decided after being investigated for mental contamination.』
The golem relayed the facts as if it were someone else's business, but upon hearing that much, Historia clamped her mouth shut. They called it a disposition decided after an investigation, but since she was being dragged to Headquarters, it was clear the signaler's future wouldn't be smooth.
Even in the best-case scenario, she would take on the role of a switchboard relaying orders issued by Headquarters elsewhere, and in the worst case, she would simply be disposed of.
"That bastard's ability isn't something like mental contamination. They don't listen to a word I say."
Historia, who knew at least a little about the truth of the signalers, sympathized with Aby, if only slightly.
Officers despise the signalers. Paper captains who earned the rank of captain with their innate Unique Magic Path without even graduating from the military academy. At the same time, because they act stiffly regardless of rank, officers felt all sorts of unpleasant emotions when dealing with signalers.
"You have it tough too. Taking on the role of being hated."
However, a signaler is ultimately nothing more than a messenger. If one views them not as individuals but as the voice or letters of Headquarters, such contempt is almost futile.
In the end, it was no different from officers venting their dissatisfaction with unwanted orders onto the signalers.
Historia spoke with very, very slight consideration.
"You said you ran into that bastard, right? Then you'd be useful in this tracking operation. Wouldn't it be better for me to mobilize you?"
『Impossible. The examination for the signaler's mental contamination takes precedence over anything else. If noise enters the communications, it will affect the overall operation. There are many existences that can replace me, so please mobilize them.』
"...Is that so? Well, good luck."
It couldn't be helped. Historia didn't have the loyalty to do anything more for her, and right now, there was an overflow of things more important than that. Historia withdrew her interest from Aby.
Perhaps that was why.
『Thank you. I will certainly survive, to the best of my ability.』
The subtle fervor felt within the golem's words went unnoticed by Historia.
Aby ceased her resonance.
Aby, who rose from an isolated communication room within the Communications Headquarters, recalled her conversation with Historia and smiled bitterly.
Mental contamination examination.
Unfortunately, that was true. Because a major problem had occurred in the mind of Aby, who always had to remain calm as a signaler.
An overflowing desire for life.
When she recalled joyful memories, a smile naturally formed on her lips.
She wanted to let everyone know and share this uplifted mood, this joy that felt too great to experience alone.
Happy times remain as indelible marks. Because of that, Aby feared death and was full of lingering attachments to life.
What else could this be called if not mental contamination?
It was clearly completely different from before.
But once she knew it, she couldn't go back. Amidst the people who spent their own happy times, back when she lived feeling joy and fulfillment. A time when she picked out happiness from within the raucous laughter of chatting people.
Thanks to those memories, she changed.
Not only her mindset, but even her Unique Magic Path...
Ruminating on her happy times, Aby gathered both hands to her chest. And she unfolded her Unique Magic Path.
Unique Magic Path, Morning Glory.
The morning glory that had taken root in her chest stretched out in all directions. Vines coiled to the left along her arms and legs, her chest and neck, with leaves growing alternately. It looked exactly as if she were bound by thorny vines. From the morning glory vines embracing her entire body, flowers bloomed.
Resonance occurred in the purple flowers that bloomed by feeding on Aby's mana.
The duty that bound her was the vines, and the role she had to fulfill was the flowers.
Because of that, Aby's Unique Magic Path was the Morning Glory, but...
Now, it was a little different.
At the end of the vine that climbed up her neck and face, a tiny, straight stem sprouted vibrantly. That stem, sticking its head out as if pretending to be a morning glory vine, formed a large bud.
And blooming at its end... was a tiny, single sunflower.
With its clear face turned to one side, a single sunflower yearning for warm light gazed endlessly at somewhere from atop the morning glory vine.
He would be at the end of where this sunflower gazed. Aby knew that instinctively.
Because of that, Aby was always happy.
Because she knew the sun still existed.
Aby, holding the sunflower to her chest, spoke to the morning glory facing Headquarters.
"Headquarters, this is Signaler Captain Aby. As of this time, I will depart for Headquarters."