The Best and Worst Weapon
The Best and Worst Weapon
While Daniel was on edge and Ref was horrified, preparations for the nuclear test proceeded steadily.
At last, when all preparations were complete, the project lead Rembador informed the Imperial Household through the established communication network, and Selvia, upon hearing the news, summoned all relevant personnel.
The personnel gathered at the Imperial Palace received a preliminary briefing from the scientists who had participated in the experiment and then headed to the Taranmad Flatland where the nuclear test was to be held.
Upon arriving at the open plain, which was literally a desolate expanse, Daniel gazed blankly at the distant steel tower.
It was far enough away to appear as small as a dot, but not so far as to be unrecognizable.
The steel tower, standing alone under the starlight of the night sky, flaunted its presence.
"So an atomic bomb has been installed there. More than that, this place is a wasteland if ever there was one."
He said, gazing out over the endlessly barren expanse.
Selvia, standing beside him, nodded as if in agreement.
"Isn't that obvious? It's a zone chosen for the nuclear test."
There was a sharp edge to her words, though its source was unclear.
Daniel knew the reason, however.
He had heard that a private independent newspaper had published a strange article and then hastily retracted it.
Past Selvia, who was staring straight ahead with a sulky expression, he could see Ref sweating nervously.
Ref had decided to keep as much distance from Selvia as possible and was at the far end of the line. Glancing around self-consciously, his eyes met Daniel's, and he brought a hand to his mouth, muttering something under his breath.
Daniel couldn't be sure, but it looked like he was asking him to clear up the misunderstanding.
'Isn't this all your fault!'
Daniel was flabbergasted, but expressing his exasperation wasn't going to solve the situation.
After a deep breath, Daniel opened his mouth.
"Your Majesty. It is true that Ref and I had a secret meeting, but we did not meet for any strange purpose as you might be thinking."
Selvia rolled only her eyes to glare at Daniel.
"......What exactly do you think I was thinking?"
"I spoke because you seemed to be misunderstanding the relationship between Ref and myself."
Daniel saw Selvia's shoulders flinch slightly, as if her inner thoughts had been exposed.
However, since she wasn't showing it openly, Daniel added subtly.
"I was having a kind of consultation with Ref. Ref was explaining the situation of a man he knew and asking for advice."
It was a lie, but it was the best way to sway Selvia's heart.
Only then, with her guard lowered a notch, did Selvia ask with a hint of curiosity.
"......A consultation? If it's a man he knows, was it love advice?"
"You could say that."
He felt sorry for Ref, but this was the only way for both of them to survive.
"Ref told me that the man he knew was two-timing. He found out recently and sought my help."
It was also a chance to subtly sound out Selvia's feelings.
"From what I heard, Ref liked the man. The man also had feelings for Ref. However, on the day his two-timing was discovered, the man told Ref, 'I love you too, so let's maintain the current relationship.' What do you think about this?"
As Ref had said, he had absolutely no intention of using the Wish Petition Right to demand polygamy, but just in case, he wanted to know what Selvia thought of such a situation.
After hearing the story, Selvia furrowed her brow without much deliberation.
"Goodness, what a selfish man he must be. How many women could accept such a proposition if he speaks of love without properly explaining his reasons? It's a foolish demand and an unreasonable request."
Seeing her cold reaction, Daniel swallowed hard and nodded his head.
"I also agree with His Majesty the Emperor's words. He is truly a garbage-like fellow."
Just as he thought the future had grown even darker, Selvia let out a low sigh.
"Even so, if he explains his reasons sufficiently, there might be some room for understanding. Though it would require the premise that Ref desperately loves the man."
"......Are you serious?"
"How can emotions be confined within the framework of reason? If humans could completely control their own feelings, foolish things like wars would never have happened."
Selvia turned her gaze and stared straight ahead.
"Of course, the man would have to sufficiently explain why he intends to divide his love for another woman. If it's a deviation driven by mere sexual desire, he will face due punishment."
Her attitude was eerily like she knew what Daniel's intentions were.
His curiosity was piqued, but asking about it would be tantamount to suicide, so Daniel had no choice but to express his agreement.
"I will be sure to convey His Majesty the Emperor's wise insight to Ref."
Selvia gave a small nod.
Just as their conversation came to a close, Rembador approached.
He held welding goggles in both hands.
Since he was wearing welding goggles himself, his intention in bringing them was clear.
When he came up to them, Rembador bowed his head lightly.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, and Lieutenant General Daniel. The test will begin soon, so please put these on."
As Daniel and Selvia received the goggles, Rembador continued.
"The heat radiation produced when the nuclear bomb detonates rivals the surface of the sun. Viewing it with the naked eye could cause retinal damage, so it is imperative that you wear the goggles."
"......Are you saying that retinal damage can occur even at this distance?"
"Yes. According to our calculations, the initial plasma emission of the nuclear explosion is unbearable even from points several tens of kilometers away from the detonation site. If you don't wear the goggles, your retinas will burn in a matter of seconds."
He stated such threatening facts so casually, as was typical of a scientist.
Selvia, swallowing hard, immediately put on the goggles, and Daniel also protected his eyes by putting on the goggles with unhurried movements.
Watching Selvia, who seemed inexplicably tense, Daniel let out a low chuckle.
"Your Majesty. If you are worried about health abnormalities caused by the aftereffects, wouldn't it be better to go inside the bomb shelter? It would be safer there."
"......I don't want to. Lieutenant General Daniel also decided to observe from outside, didn't you?"
"I am a soldier, so I came out to confirm the explosive power for certain. Your Majesty has no need to take such risks."
Selvia felt fear of the unknown weapon but still shook her head.
"I also need to reliably observe the power of the nuclear weapon as the final authority. Also......"
Selvia looked up at Daniel.
"I don't want to leave you standing in a dangerous place alone."
The worried emotion contained in her blue eyes naturally drew a smile from him.
"Very well. Then let us watch together from here. Project Lead Rembador, you......"
"I will also observe from here. It's a parent's heart to see how the monster we created will be born."
It was a rather poetic expression for a scientist.
As Daniel nodded, Rembador joined the line and looked at the steel tower.
While everyone was holding their breath, the observation post began the countdown.
─ 10 minutes to launch...... Beginning preliminary checks.
A trembling voice from the observation post flowed out through the outdoor speaker.
─ Initiation system, no issues. Checking pressure gauge.
─ Safety circuit normal. Warhead initiation ready.
─ All measurement devices confirmed normal. Remote initiation standby complete.
While everyone waited with bated breath, the observation post announced the launch time in minutes.
As that time dwindled to within one minute, everyone's breathing began to grow ragged.
Even Rembador, who had been acting composed the entire time, was no exception.
In just a few dozen seconds, the greatest and worst weapon ever to be recorded in human history would be born.
Even though it had been proven hundreds of times over in theory, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
In the meantime, the countdown from the observation post entered the seconds.
In a moment that felt as if it would stop his breath, the countdown ended.
─ Ignition!
Immediately, there was light.
Kwaaaaaaaang─
The nuclear weapon placed atop the steel tower detonated, and an intense white light dyed the entire world.
The night sky brightened like day, and the darkness cast over all directions vanished in an instant.
The explosion was so blinding even with the goggles on that a few people closed their eyes or turned their heads.
In the wake of the white light, flames soared up like hellish lava, and a mushroom cloud formed to a height beyond measure.
It looked enormous even from here, a good 15 kilometers away.
The observation post was noisily shouting something related, but no one paid any heed to those words.
Immediately afterward, the shockwave from the nuclear explosion swept through the area like a rough wind.
"......!"
A few flustered people lost their balance and fell or lowered their bodies.
Following that, some who felt their skin heating up grew fearful and even backtracked.
Amidst the silent uproar, Rembador, who had not taken his eyes off the explosion, murmured.
"......Is this truly a weapon made by humans?"
The voice heard in the silence spoke for everyone's hearts.
Daniel, who had known beforehand what a nuclear weapon was, was practically paralyzed in thought, so it was natural that the others also found it hard to escape the shock.
With everyone speechless at the power of the nuclear weapon, Daniel stepped one pace forward.
'With this, the Empire....'
It was essentially in control of humanity's right to life and death.