Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: The Proposal and the Challenge
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"Success."
Ulrike muttered as everything at the edge of his vision scattered into white in the heart of the city. 3 minutes 31 seconds. Even though they were 14 seconds slower than the others, words of hope came from Ulrike's mouth. At the word "success," I reflexively looked toward Chellingen.
Chellingen, standing with his arms crossed and a relieved expression, met my eyes and flashed a bright smile before finally extending his hand. I belatedly realized that I had firmly believed he would naturally go for a high-five first. Feeling a bit awkward, I quickly slapped his hand away and gestured to my friends. It was time to head back now.
When we returned to the small stadium's seating area, the 91st Class Representative stood up from her seat. The 98th Batch B Team hadn't been here right before we entered, but they had already arrived. Their report must have just finished. If another report came in now, either the 98th Batch B Team or C Team would head out again, but it was good timing that everyone was gathered.
"You've done well. Seeing the rampager handling process from the two most efficient teams up close is truly impressive."
Even as she said this, the 91st Class Representative's face remained one of utter detachment. No particular interest, passion, or deep thought. That wasn't a problem. In fact, it was something to welcome.
"Now that we must move using one of these two methods ourselves, let's discuss it properly. In my view, both teams performed excellently, but the question is whether the 91st Batch, along with the 98th Batch B and C Teams, can match their capabilities. With that in mind, what do the representatives of the 91st Batch B and C Teams think?"
The 91st Class Representative spoke with a slight smile. At her words, the leader of the 91st Batch B Team opened his mouth.
"First... Excluding the 101st Batch, both the 91st and 98th Batches have gone out to various sites as Imperial Mages and gained plenty of experience, but handling rampagers is still something less than three months old for all of us. Especially for high-risk rampagers, we've only had about a week's experience, so it's fair to say none of us have much under our belts. I'm deeply impressed that both teams established efficient strategies for high-risk rampagers in just a week."
He was saying what the 91st Class Representative should have.
"It's not a week."
Elias cast a soundproof spell beside me and said teasingly. Not a week. It was improvised...
"First, the 98th Batch A Team stood out for training with firearms as their main weapon. Next, the 101st Batch's 2-5 formation was eye-catching. The role of restricting the rampager's movements with two people—putting it in terms of matching the 98th Batch A Team's method—they essentially substituted for the firearms role with two mages."
A solid grasp. I waited silently for him to continue.
"Both teams finished in around three minutes, so it's clear both methods are effective. Especially for the 101st Batch, gathered from early selections at the academy, I speculated they shortened the time through individual prowess, but surprisingly, there was a key point that impressed me. As for my personal impression... both methods provide simple, clear guidelines on how we should act, but the easiest one to follow is the 98th Batch A Team's."
"......"
At those words, the 98th Batch A Team members smiled. My friends gave polite smiles in return. The 91st Batch B Team leader glanced back and forth at us before continuing.
"To reiterate, either method should be fine without major issues. Both are straightforward, that's a fact."
"Our C Team fully agrees with this opinion. We've used defensive cartridges only as support until now, but we can form up this way and train for a few days."
The 91st Batch C Team leader nodded in agreement.
'Even if we offer a method anyone can follow... they can't beat the convenience of tools.'
That makes sense. 1. Concentrate the rampager somewhere to actively exploit neural distraction effects, 2. Compress magic power to the max, 3. Set up a barrier several times stronger than usual—versus 1. Surround them, 2. Pull the trigger. The latter is easier. But there's something they're overlooking. No intention of pointing it out before this neutral ground tilts fully our way.
Our goal here wasn't to hear "Yeah, your method is the best, so we'll do it your way," but to balance the scales that had fully tipped toward the 98th Batch A Team. Now it was time to add one more weight.
At that moment, the 98th Batch C Team leader raised his hand and looked at the 91st Class Representative.
"I have a question for the 101st Batch. May I ask?"
The 91st Class Representative gestured for him to go ahead. The 98th Batch C Team leader stood up and smiled leisurely.
"Well... I understand that you disrupted the rampager's senses with a magic condensate. But why go out of your way to achieve a similar effect with magic instead of using the 98th Batch A Team's method? Why not just shoot them in the legs?"
"......"
He asked with a relaxed expression, quirking an eyebrow. His demeanor showed no seriousness, but anyway, he was speaking up for me.
Nepomucene Betin. From a ruling family like us. Usually, A to C Teams in a batch aren't random but by skill, and this guy is said to have developed rapidly after selection, rivaling A Team leader Albert Mecklenburg. Just a rumor I picked up here, but... by disguising this as a question to give me a chance to speak, I could tell he wasn't particularly favorable toward Albert Mecklenburg.
Elias beside me cast a soundproof spell and smirked slyly.
"Hey~ The time has come. Time to show off that special envoy minister speech vibe."
He'd even included Leo in the soundproof, as I could see Leo on my left clenching his fist tightly. Impressive that he had the mind for this even in such a situation. As I stood up, a few 91st Batch mages gave strange smiles. Probably because it was unexpectedly me, not leader Leo, stepping forward.
Why not shoot the legs. I met their eyes and opened my mouth.
"It's obvious, but taking down a rampager that way means crippling the victims we're supposed to rescue."
Perhaps because I started by facing reality head-on, silence hung over the room. I could feel Mecklenburg's cold gaze on me.
"We wanted a method that achieves the highest efficiency while not harming the safety of the subjects we must rescue. Thus, unless our rescuers' safety is seriously threatened, we concluded not to inflict irreversible injuries on the rampager."
"I see. But high-risk rampagers' bodies aren't intact anyway."
Nepomucene Betin smiled and shrugged.
In other words, they'll be crippled even if they survive, so what's the difference if we conveniently shoot them. The 91st Class Representative now looked at me with a hint of interest. She seemed to think his point was valid and awaited my response.
"Being able to physically take them down with firearms means their legs haven't melted from vitriol yet, and taking them to the hospital in that state gives a high chance of them surviving with intact legs. Since we have a way to minimize secondary damage in a short time without additional injuries, there was no reason not to choose this method."
"......"
The 91st Class Representative nodded readily. Nepomucene Betin quirked an eyebrow and sat down, and silence followed.
"...Hoo."
Mecklenburg let out a short breath. Nepomucene Betin had clearly annoyed him. Mecklenburg raised his hand to the 91st Class Representative for permission and spoke.
"Melting from vitriol happens in an instant. Within a minute, intact legs can melt, replaced by vitriol. If you don't use firearms when the legs are still there and take them to the hospital on schedule, the chance of losing not just a leg but their life increases dramatically."
"Hmm."
"We, for whom every second counts, are at a crossroads of choice and focus. If sacrificing the rampager's legs drastically reduces damage in short time and prevents further rampage, wouldn't that be the answer?"
Mecklenburg finished with an expression devoid of smile. Since he looked at me, I immediately questioned.
"Even though there's a way to suppress secondary damage in short time without sacrificing the legs, I wonder if there's a reason we must sacrifice them."
"It's also the method that reduces total costs. I understand sympathy for rampagers."
"The 101st Batch knows efficiency is a crucial value and acts accordingly. In fact, on this topic, I have something to say to everyone here right now."
As I finished while looking into the 91st Class Representative's eyes, she nodded for me to continue.
"We are part of the state. The public views the state through the Imperial Mage Association. Because we are His Majesty's first servants and the state's second servants. I know it's presumptuous for the 101st Batch to say this, but as one subject who has enjoyed peace under the Imperial Mage Association's efforts, I dare to ask the seniors to reconsider your judgment."
"......."
Those who can spout rehearsed lines do it well, while those who don't...
But it didn't seem like a bad choice. They could have been displeased at the 101st Batch being overstepping, but the 91st Batch expressions weren't much different from before. Some even seemed subtly flustered, exchanging brief glances as if they'd forgotten how the public perceived them. The 91st Class Representative, whose face hadn't changed, spoke.
"Tell us what judgment you're referring to."
"Using firearms will lead to the worst long-term results. I'm speaking from a position prioritizing efficiency and performance, not sympathy for rampagers."
I've been harping on efficiency too, but it's not entirely accurate. For me, in a profession that saves lives, efficiency is important, and I'm advancing my argument considering it, but I'm not advocating this solely because of efficiency. To handle worldly affairs only by efficiency, one must even forget basic humanity.
Yet the reason I keep mentioning efficiency is that with efficiency-obsessed people, it's the only way to counter them. So from now on, I'll explain how their choice is economically inefficient long-term.
Before I could continue, the 91st Class Representative asked directly.
"On what basis?"
"Shooting or killing rampagers is clearly extremely efficient in resource terms. But why hasn't the state, knowing this efficient method, demanded it from the Imperial Mage Association long ago? If this truly yields the best results, why not use it and inform the public? With public anxiety at its peak, expanding information transparency is a strategic choice to calm the masses. So why not do it?"
"......"
"Simple. Because it's exactly what Pleroma wants."
Breaths could be heard. Then silence flowed. I saw 91st Batch mages raising eyebrows, Mecklenburg's eyes narrowing. The 98th Batch A Team's faces stiffened more than theirs.
"The state killing its citizens. Even if we Imperial Mages had no intent to harm subjects, inflicting irreversible injuries on those we're to rescue is fact. The safe fence of the state crumbling, and all its people joining a new, powerful community toward a new world. It's clear who desires this. Like any cult, Pleroma hopes for societal system collapse, over and over. After Pentaron, confirming their influence by openly abducting mages en masse was, I dare say, a choice desiring technology theft alongside state chaos."
"......"
Why does Abraham persist in high-cost rampager treatment despite knowing the efficient way of shooting them all? Why did I assess Albert Mecklenburg as shortsighted?
Shooting rampagers goes beyond quickly handling immediate reports; it ties to trust in the state system. In this turbulent era, the loss from eroding public trust in the state is thousands of times greater than the gain from shooting rampagers now. While ordinary citizens might not think that far, rulers and politicians must—and most here juggle political roles with Imperial Mage duties, called to rampager squads.
A long while later, the 91st Class Representative spoke in a gentle voice.
"Subjects see high-risk rampagers as monsters."
"You're right. And they are acutely aware they could become like those rampagers anytime."
"In this ordeal, subjects will accept that we have no choice but to amputate legs during rescue."
"......"
Debating whether to seriously answer nonsense, I chose silence instead, and he gave a faint smile, spreading his hands. His tone carried an explanation preempting potential questions from the room.
"Yes. The key is it's not an unavoidable situation. Because the 101st Batch's method exists."
"...Thank you. To avoid misunderstanding, I'm not insisting we stick to the 101st Batch's method or unconditionally ban firearms. I just ask that in situations where rescuer safety isn't threatened, we reconsider indiscriminately injuring them."
The 91st Class Representative pulled up the corner of her mouth in a troubled expression. She snapped her fingers to cast a soundproof spell and conferred with the other 91st Batch mages. As the neutral 91st Batch's voices were fully cut off, a chill silence fell. The 98th Batch A Team and Mecklenburg's faces were rigidly set. Vice-leader Erich Reichenau rolled his eyes with an ambiguous expression.
Only after a long while did the soundproof break. The 91st Class Representative looked straight at me and said.
"You're right."
"......"
"We heard Excellency Ascanien's proposal well. If subjects fully deemed rampagers as evil, it would be different, but they know they could rampage themselves. We cannot tolerate any potential loss to His Majesty from our unilateral decision."
I could see my friends' faces brightening around me. The 91st Class Representative continued immediately.
"So, can you prove it right now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Can another team besides the 101st Batch execute your method?"
"......"
What's impossible? Everyone here is top-level. Even if magic reserves differ, there are ways to compensate. They must know exactly what I've been arguing...
"Try commanding another team right now for five minutes. Outside Mimesis, using the 101st Batch's method. Excluding the 98th Batch A Team and Albert Mecklenburg, what do the other five mages think?"
"...!"
Shock appeared on the 101st Batch friends' and 98th Batch A Team's faces. Suppressing a hollow laugh, I said.
"Me, commanding seniors..."
"The field is the field, and outside is outside."
Even using the same method, this was an unreasonable demand by any measure. I'd achieved 3:31 with friends I'd synced with; now he wanted results with people I'd never coordinated with. Using those most hostile to me, no less.
"If you can handle a Grade 3 rampager using the 101st Batch method within the five-minute limit, we'll accept Excellency Ascanien's proposal. But if you can't properly command within five minutes, we'll leave future rampager handling to each team's discretion."
"He's really pushing it."
Elias's cold mutter reached me.
But as Elias put it, it didn't seem entirely the worst.
Is this a balancing act? There's hardly reason to refuse my words otherwise. His saying this isn't just about my proposal's validity. In other words...
'Hmm.'
He might be laying the groundwork for the 101st Batch's position. As is, relations between the 98th Batch A Team and 101st would irreparably sour. Conflict with the 98th is inevitable anyway, but this gives legitimacy to us juniors.
"I cannot accept."
Albert Mecklenburg's response came. His usual calm expression cracked noticeably. His voice clearly suppressed emotion.
"Then, is accepting Excellency Ascanien's proposal acceptable?"
"......"
Mecklenburg didn't answer. Interpreting his intent, the 91st Class Representative continued.
"We 91st Batch already know well the 98th Batch's capabilities are outstanding. I believe you won't deliberately sabotage. Exclude personal feelings and views—act professionally."
* * *
"You're doing a fine job."
On the way to the Mimesis training ground, sarcasm came from the 98th Batch A Team following behind me.
"...I had no regrets toward the seniors. I'm only sorry for overstepping by commanding you. Whatever punishment you impose afterward, I'll accept without objection."
Not expecting me to back down so readily, silence fell briefly, but not long. Soon, exasperated breaths followed. My performance only half worked. Someone sneered.
"You hear 'all talk' a lot, huh?"
"Yes."
"......"
This was more effective. I could feel bewilderment from behind, like "What's with this guy?" Just as someone grabbed my shoulder roughly, I arrived at the training ground and turned to face them promptly.
"I swear I didn't propose this to inconvenience the seniors. I know whatever I say won't ring true... but I want to sincerely apologize for ending up commanding you."
"Oh sure, you must be heartbroken."
Someone glared wide-eyed. But those behind didn't show as much malice. Just eyes weary from being dragged into the two teams' fight up to the 91st Batch. Vice-leader Erich Reichenau stood blankly, as if wondering how it came to this, without seeming malicious.
The one who'd picked a fight earlier approached threateningly.
"The 101st Batch has handled tons, so you know it well, but we won't manage it. Don't be disappointed then—prepare your heart now. Your Excellency Reichenau, say something."
"......"
The vice-leader, shoulders slumped with a ten-years-older look, sighed toward us.
"Let's just get it over with..."
"What are you?"
As expected, they'd been friends since school days like us; the instigator flinched in surprise. The mage glaring irritably from behind pressed his forehead.
"...Fine. Starts in one minute. Know anything? Even using that method you showed, you don't expect to handle it in five minutes without prior knowledge of us mages, right?"
"......"
"Asking about our abilities now? Better not think we'll tell you."
"He'll just say crap like 'Run there~' That's all he can do! What were you expecting!"
"First."
Cutting him off, Erich Reichenau's concerned gaze turned to me. It took no time to realize it was concern for his 98th Batch A Team, not me. I continued immediately.
"Do you plan to intentionally hold back to sabotage me?"
"Would we get disciplined?"
A snappy retort came right away.
"There's a limit to looking down on people. If you have time to worry about that, think up a strategy."
This time, unlike before, everyone's expressions sharpened. Good. Answer received. Out of mage pride—at least they're worrying about discipline—they won't slack obviously. They might subtly underperform. Can't help that. Still, I can strategize for success.
And of course, prep work first.
'Ah, this was meant for Mecklenburg.'
Had to use it earlier. I lowered my eyes slightly and opened my mouth.
"Seniors."