Chapter 195: A Far Away Tale. Those Left Behind in the Military State
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 195: A Far Away Tale. Those Left Behind in the Military State
Making a mess is easy, but cleaning up is hard… is, surprisingly, a misconception.
To make a mess requires a great deal of time and consistent effort, but cleaning up takes only a moment. It only feels like a chore because it’s bothersome. No matter how long a room has been messy, a mere half-day of cleaning will make it spotless, proving which is superior.
The Military State was an efficient sluggard. It would put off cleaning its room for as long as possible, then dispose of all the trash at once.
It had taken long preparations and grim determination to cause such a commotion, but for the Military State to clean it up, half a day was more than enough.
The Military Police, led by Historia, tidied up the back alleys as quickly and simply as clearing away scattered objects. The trash that didn't know when to quit and continued the ruckus was either disposed of or arrested, and anyone associated with them was dragged to the Military Police for rigorous investigation.
The related parties were interrogated, terrified.
The Military State’s way of dealing with trash was to use it as firewood. The human refuse they rounded up would be burned as fuel to run the nation.
And when cleaning a room, it’s common for useful things to be thrown out with the trash.
Even the innocent couldn't feel safe. They entered the Military Police headquarters prepared for the worst.
And they walked out, limbs intact, bewildered. Their unexpected luck slowly turned their confusion into joy.
Who cared about the truth? They were safe.
And so, those who weren't thrown away savored their daily lives, relieved to have been left behind.
“…Did you calculate this far, you meticulous bastard?”
Historia muttered, pulling a mana herb cigarette from its pack.
The Pied Piper. The most enigmatic figure from the Hamelin incident, a taboo of the Military State. Now that he had revealed himself, uncovering the truth behind a mere back-alley disturbance was a secondary concern.
In fact, investigating the incident could inadvertently expose information about the Pied Piper. Questioning ordinary citizens about Huey, Hughes, or the magician would be tantamount to revealing clues.
Therefore, the Military State ended its investigation after punishing the criminals who had been openly involved. Instead, it poured all its efforts into tracking the Pied Piper.
“No. That bastard was probably entangled in the truth from the start. If we catch him, we can hear the whole story.”
Muttering to herself with her long legs propped up on her desk, Historia put the cigarette in her mouth. She habitually chewed on the end as she brought the hammer of her pistol to its tip. Then, she pulled the hammer all the way back.
Clack.
The hammer struck, creating a large spark. After lighting her cigarette, Historia took a deep drag, closed her eyes for a moment, and spoke.
“Signaller.”
『This is Signaller, Captain Abbey. Did you call?』
The golem beside Historia responded. Without looking at it, Historia exhaled the smoke she had drawn in. Fwooo. A long, colored sigh swirled up into the air.
Having stolen a moment to enjoy a cigarette amidst her busy schedule, Historia asked blankly.
“Why did you stop guiding me?”
『Query. To what matter are you referring?』
“You know what I’m talking about. Why did you stop guiding me right after I was engulfed in darkness?”
Guessing she was being interrogated, Abbey replied, her arms held behind her back.
『I will correct my failure to comply with your command. However, it was the judgment of the Signaller Corps, myself included, that further pursuit was impossible.』
CRASH. Historia suddenly slammed her fist on the desk. A fist-shaped dent appeared on the steel surface.
Historia’s expression remained impassive, but with the cigarette clenched in her mouth, a grating sound escaped her lips.
“And what gives you the right to decide that?”
Despite Historia’s murderous aura, the golem remained calm.
『The opposition included two General-level combatants, not to mention two Beast Kings. In contrast, Major General, you were unarmed. To engage under those conditions would have resulted in heavy losses.』
“I told you I was fine.”
『Major General, you are one of the Military State’s most powerful assets. We cannot send such an asset into battle without any support.』
“My, my. The Signaller is the one in charge now.”
『That will be rectified.』
The golem bowed its head stiffly. Her desire to press the matter further gone, Historia clicked her tongue and leaned back in her chair.
She didn't rebuke the Signaller further because, even in her own assessment, pursuing him alone would have been impossible.
“Tsk. How did that bastard end up in Tantalus anyway? It couldn't have been for the Pied Piper incident.”
『He was arrested on charges of illegal gambling.』
“Illegal gambling, and he was locked up in Tantalus?”
『Negative. It was a labor sentence.』
“Same difference.”
『At the time, Tantalus had just experienced a large-scale escape incident orchestrated by Colonel Lankart. His situation was not as perilous as one might expect.』
“Hmph. As if being perilous matters. What matters is that it’s a place you can never climb out of.”
Embers flickered each time Historia grumbled. The crimson glow flared bright red before turning pitch black, as if gasping for breath.
After finishing her cigarette and her thoughts, Historia muttered.
“They must have had some suspicions. I’ll have to look at the case file later.”
『Shall I prepare it?』
“No. Later. This will all be resolved once we catch that bastard Huey.”
For a smoker who derives pleasure from burning a cigarette, is the cigarette an object of hatred or affection? One thing is certain: the cigarette does not love the smoker back. Once it has served its purpose, it departs without a word, leaving behind only a trail of white smoke.
Before long, the cigarette had heartlessly burned away. After a brief encounter, a long farewell was in order.
Historia stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and spoke.
“So, what does headquarters say?”
The room was thick with smoke, but the golem, which did not breathe, was unaffected. It spoke without coughing or holding its breath.
『Relaying message. The Major General’s operational plan has been approved. The decision has been made to pursue the Pied Piper and four others.』
“It was approved? That’s unexpected.”
『To elaborate: The Pied Piper is a key figure who holds the secrets of Hamelin. Evidence suggests his deep involvement in various incidents at Tantalus, and his threat level has risen sharply due to his association with the Progenitor and others. Furthermore, his methods are similar to those of the Level 5 threat, Lankart. The military authorities will therefore expedite his capture. That is the judgment of headquarters.』
The cigarette was gone, but pleasant news had arrived. Historia grinned.
“Not bad. It would’ve been a pain to search for him alone in this vast land. The Signallers’ control will make things a bit better.”
Her words implied that if permission hadn't been granted, she would have deserted her post to find him herself. Abbey pretended not to understand the implication. Instead, as always, she relayed only the clear facts.
『As of today, I will be vacating my position for verification. Henceforth, Signaller Yuel will be assisting the Major General.』
“Vacating your position? Why?”
『Warning. This information is classified. Do you wish to view it with your General-level authority?』
Orders related to Signallers were restricted, even to a General. Had Historia been an ordinary officer, she would never have received an answer from the golem.
But Historia was one of the Six Generals. And she was not one to be frugal with her authority.
“Let’s hear it.”
『Request approved. I will now explain.』
The golem straightened its posture and spoke.
『I was the Signaller assigned to Tantalus. I lost contact immediately after the collapse of the Abyss, returned under my own power, and witnessed this incident while staying in Amitengrad.』
“Mm.”
『However, the possibility has been raised that I came into contact with the Pied Piper during my return. I have denied this fact, but the Pied Piper is an unknown entity whose identity and abilities are unclear. Therefore, I will proceed to headquarters to be examined for mental contamination, after which my disposition will be decided.』
The golem relayed the facts as if they concerned someone else, but upon hearing them, Historia’s mouth snapped shut. It was called an examination and a decision, but it was clear that once this Signaller was dragged to headquarters, her future would be anything but smooth.
Best case, she would be assigned to a switchboard, relaying orders from headquarters to elsewhere. Worst case, she would simply be disposed of.
“That bastard’s ability isn’t mental contamination. Do they not listen to a word I say?”
Historia, who knew a little of the truth about the Signaller, felt a sliver of pity for Abbey.
Officers despised Signallers. They were "paper captains" who had obtained their rank through an innate Unique Magic, not by graduating from the academy. At the same time, they acted stiffly regardless of rank, making officers feel all sorts of unpleasant emotions when dealing with them.
“You have it rough, too. Taking on a role everyone hates.”
But a Signaller was, in the end, just a messenger. If one saw them not as individuals but as the voice of headquarters, or a letter, such contempt was almost meaningless.
Ultimately, the officers were just venting their frustrations about unwanted orders on the Signallers.
With a tiny, tiny bit of consideration, Historia said.
“You said you ran into him, right? You’d be useful in this pursuit operation. Wouldn’t it be better if I mobilized you?”
『Impossible. The examination of a Signaller for mental contamination takes precedence over all else. Noise in the communications can affect the entire operation. There are many who can replace me; please mobilize them.』
“…Is that so? Well, good luck.”
It couldn't be helped. Historia had no obligation to do anything more for her, and right now, there were far more important matters at hand. Historia lost interest in Abbey.
Perhaps that was why.
『Thank you. I will do everything in my power to survive.』
Historia failed to notice the faint heat in the golem’s words.
Abbey ended the synchronization.
Rising from her seat in an isolated communication room within the Communications Headquarters, Abbey recalled her conversation with Historia and gave a bitter smile.
Mental contamination.
Unfortunately, that was the truth. A major problem had arisen in the mind of Abbey, who as a Signaller was supposed to remain perpetually calm.
She was overflowing with a desire to live.
When she recalled happy memories, a smile would naturally form on her lips.
She wanted to tell everyone about this buoyant feeling, to share a joy that was too good to keep to herself.
The happy times had left an indelible mark. Because of them, Abbey feared death and was filled with a lingering attachment to life.
What else could this be but mental contamination?
She was completely different from before.
But now that she knew, she could not go back. To that time when she was in the midst of people living their own happy lives, feeling joy and fulfillment. To that moment when she picked out happiness from the laughter of the boisterous crowd.
Thanks to that memory, she had changed.
Not just her mindset, but even her Unique Magic…
Ruminating on those happy times, Abbey brought her hands to her chest. And she unfurled her Unique Magic.
Unique Magic, Morning Glory.
The morning glory that had taken root in her chest spread out in all directions. From the vines that coiled counter-clockwise up her arms, legs, chest, and neck, leaves sprouted alternately. It was as if she were bound by thorny vines. From the morning glory vines that enshrouded her entire body, flowers began to grow.
Synchronization occurred in the purple flowers that bloomed, feeding on Abbey’s mana.
The duties that bound her were the vines, and the roles she had to play were the flowers.
That was why Abbey’s Unique Magic was the Morning Glory.
But now, it was a little different.
From the end of a vine that climbed up her neck and face, a small, straight stem rose primly. Peeking out as if pretending to be a morning glory vine, it formed a large flower bud.
And at its tip bloomed… a single, small sunflower.
A single sunflower, its bright face turned to one side, yearning for a warm light. Atop the morning glory vine, it gazed endlessly toward some distant place.
He would be there, at the end of this sunflower’s gaze. Abbey knew this instinctively.
And for that reason, Abbey was always happy.
Because she knew the sun still existed.
Abbey, with the sunflower held to her heart, spoke into the morning glory aimed at headquarters.
“Headquarters, this is Signaller Captain Abbey. I will now depart for headquarters.”