Rose dined with the executives of the Ghost Brigade.
All the actors, or rather, the audience, were gathered at the table. The cooking show of Mizar, the Ghost Brigade’s premier chef, was about to begin.
The table was adorned with a vibrant array of colorful and luscious dishes, like a culinary exhibition from around the world!
“Mizar, you can make dishes from various countries, not just from Izuruha Nations!”
“Delicious food knows no borders, Princess. Whether it’s from any country, delicious is delicious. It’s a simple truth.”
Mizar replied as he placed a plate of fried oysters in front of me.
“Deliciousness is righteousness, a wonderful truth ♪”
Fried oysters with lemon juice are the best!
Major Toma is also a big eater, but Iw is even more so. He ate mountains of food.
Iw is very large, but being a super heavyweight Bio-Metal, he’s one of only a handful in the Mechanist Army, so his calorie consumption is immense according to him.
“Gun, help me carry the main dish. It’s quite large.”
Iw went into the kitchen and returned, carrying large platters one by one in each hand.
On the platters was a whole roasted pig.
“This one is for everyone to share. This one, Gun, you can eat all by yourself.”
Mizar said, and Iw looked pleased.
Big Daddy is amazing! Eating a whole pig!
“This is a whole roasted pig I learned from Master Bakusuu. The skin should be crispy, and the meat juicy.”
“Mizar, you managed to cook it well in the oven here?”
“Doctor, I cooked this and transported it by helicopter. Since it’s large, wrapping it in foil keeps it warm for several hours.”
They went to the trouble of transporting it by helicopter. Wow! the pig’s eyes are glowing! What kind of mechanism is this?
Tasche, peering fearfully into the glowing eyes, quickly retreated to my shoulder. She seemed scared.
“Kiki! (Scary!)”
“It’s okay, Tasche. It won’t attack you… Aah!!”
The pig’s face turned towards us, and it opened its mouth in a menacing way!
Tasche clung to my hair, pointing at the pig, conveying her sense of threat.
“…Koyori, playing with the food is not commendable.”
Dr. Doumeki said, and Koyori stuck out her tongue. …So it was Psychokinesis!
“Koyori! That’s mean!” “Kiki! (Mean!)”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. But it was a good reaction.”
“Princess, don’t become like this. You’ll be left on the shelf.”
“What did you say, you squinty-eyed brat!”
Koyori, her face transforming into a Noh mask, lashed out at Mizar. Mizar provocatively beckoned her closer with his hand.
The two moved to a corner of the living room and began shoving each other, but no one, not even Dr. Doumeki, tried to stop them.
“…Aren’t you going to stop them?” “Kiki? (Are they?)”
Iw, silently devouring his personal whole roasted pig, shook his head. …It means don’t interfere, right?
After finishing our meal, we enjoyed tea time.
The Major, Iw, and Akamenn are still drinking, but… what drinkers.
Major Toma asked, pouring a clear liquid from a sake bottle into his cup.
“Princess, how do you plan to expand the influence of the Rose Cross? I’d like to hear your grand design for a partner.”
Right. First…
“The first thing is money. I want to secure financial support not only from Spec Company but also from philanthropists. Therefore, I’d like you to create a list of kind-hearted philanthropists.”
“Understood. Will the Princess handle the persuasion, is that it?”
“Yes. That’s what roles are for.”
“That’s reliable. And after securing funds?”
“I will achieve results. We must demonstrate the power of the Rose Cross. I don’t intend to subscribe to the idea that might makes right, but those without power can achieve nothing. That is the reality of the current world.”
A battle to demonstrate the power of the Rose Cross… I know lives will be lost. But… I will do it.
I am already prepared to go to hell.
“…Soon, a large-scale invasion operation by the Alliance Army will be launched. A major campaign, the first in a year, will begin.”
!!!
“This is an opportunity to make a name for ourselves. However, the command of the Sword (Quester) and Shield (Ashes) is currently with the Last Legion… What will you do?”
Ashes and Quester have been dispatched to the Legion by the Emperor’s order. Colonel Roogetsu must be counting on them as fighting forces.
“It seems I’ll need to speak with the Colonel. The Sword and Shield are the main forces of the Rose Cross, so I will have them fight for my objectives while coordinating with the Last Legion.”
“Can you do it?”
“I will make it happen. Of course, Major’s assistance will be essential, right? Please lend me your strength!”
If it were just my proposal, it might be rejected. No, it probably would be. But Colonel Roogetsu respects Major Toma. With his endorsement, persuasion might be possible.
“Haha. Major, the Princess is quite a demanding partner, isn’t she?”
Mizar teased, and Major Toma gave a wry smile.
“Indeed. But utilizing what can be utilized is a desirable way of thinking. Currently, the Princess has no achievements to her name, other than the authority of her title as a princess. A true ruler knows themselves, possesses pride and confidence, yet does not overconfidently believe in themselves… Many geniuses and prodigies are unable to do this.”
I know my own limitations. As Kanata said, there are many who surpass me as individuals.
However, individual strength does not decide everything. Society is made up of individuals gathered together.
There are countless examples of those who, as individuals, could not achieve them but led a group of individuals and succeeded in a giant killing.
I’ll just add one more sample to history.
“Now, Princess, please photograph this with the eye camera. Memorize it as quickly as possible, and erase it once you’re done memorizing.”
Major Toma handed me a paper document, which I took and photographed while reading.
This is… a code table! The phrasing changes with the moon, day of the week, and time.
They’re using such a complex code to transmit classified information disguised as casual conversation.
“Important matters should be discussed directly, but that’s not always possible. There may be urgent situations. Only Quester, Ashes, and Clifford are authorized to know this code. You must not tell anyone else.”
From now on, espionage is also my job. I have to memorize it. Hmm? What is this!?
“Understood… Major. Why are there a few photos of my maids interspersed here?”
“Those maids are tasked with reporting your movements to the Emperor. Consider them persons of high vigilance, always listening for opportunities.”
No way! …No, my father might do something like that.
“…I see. I will be very careful. Thank you, Major.”
He investigated my surroundings in advance. The Major anticipated that I would propose an alliance.
“You don’t need to thank me. This is for our own safety. While it may be an eyesore, you mustn’t dismiss those maids.”
“Yes, it will only make them more vigilant.”
“Tell them what information is fine to know. Use it as bait.”
“Bait?… Ah! You mean it can be used to spread false information when necessary!”
“Exactly. However, you can only feed them false information once. After that, they will try to probe your vicinity with more sophisticated methods. You must carefully consider when to play your hand. Misplaying your trump card can lead to your own downfall.”
Major Toma seems experienced in covert operations and is reliable. He also seems to foresee that my plan to seek a truce will eventually clash with my father.
For now, I will make the most of him as my mentor. Until I obtain strong wings that can withstand the wind and rain.
“May I have a moment? Toma, regarding the maintenance and modification of the Yamata no Orochi, I will be the one to go. Director Kokonoe at Spec Company wants to show our full cooperation.”
“The campaign is near, so the Yamata no Orochi might be deployed, but… there’s no need for you to go, Doctor.”
“She has done me many favors. My current research has hit a wall, and I want a change of scenery. It’s not unpleasant here, but I’d like to get some fresh air occasionally.”
“Even a genius like Dr. Doumeki hits a wall?”
I was a little surprised. She seemed to be handling her research smoothly, just as she looked.
“I am not a genius. At best, I’m a bright student. True geniuses are far more brilliant.”
The Doctor replied, shaking her head.
“If it’s for a change of pace, then it’s fine. I and the Brigade will provide escort.”
“I was planning for you to accompany me, so it’s perfect. Toma, you are the originator of the Yamata no Orochi, after all.”
Huh? Ah, but Major Toma said he was a weapons engineer!
“Did Major Toma build the Yamata no Orochi?”
Koyori answered in place of the Major.
“Toma designed the grand concept, and my father built it. To put it bluntly, Toma only provided the ideas, and the rest was all my father’s work. That’s usually how Toma is. He comes up with outlandish ideas and throws them to my father. Like buying strawberry shortcake and only eating the strawberries?”
I think it would be better to just buy strawberries from the start.
“The idea of moving several large-caliber siege cannons on rails for concentrated deployment is brilliant. It makes more sense to concentrate deployment according to the enemy’s formation than to place large-caliber siege cannons for base defense evenly in all directions. Overcoming the technical break to make such massive mobile cannons was difficult.”
“The idea is thanks to the Doctor. I couldn’t do it, but I thought you could.”
A fatherly figure and mentor, huh? I feel a strong bond between Major Toma and Dr. Doumeki.
“Doctor, regarding that something you’re developing, I’ve decided to present it to the Princess. How long until it’s rolled out?”
That something? What is it?
“It’s complete. Although the tests haven’t been finished yet.”
“I need it within a week. I want to have it ready for the next battle.”
“Understood. I’ll try my best.”
“Major, what is ‘that something’?”
I couldn’t suppress my curiosity and asked.
“That’s a surprise for tomorrow. Princess, it’s almost time for children to sleep, isn’t it?”
Hmph! I don’t like being treated like a child, but Tasche looks sleepy already.
I’ll save the excitement for tomorrow. I’m tired today, and I’m going to sleep soundly.
