Kanata and Lilith seem to have gone for a ride on the Ferris wheel.
“Wow, it’s so high! Lilith, look! The people down there look like ants.”
“I think it’s rare for an adult male to enjoy a Ferris wheel this much. Is it fun?”
“It’s fun.”
He had been excited, thinking it was his first time riding a Ferris wheel with a girl, but he only realized after getting on that it was actually his first time riding a Ferris wheel itself.
“A Ferris wheel in the downtown area. Maybe it’s a form of entertainment only possible because of the peace we have.”
“That’s true. A paradise for opportunists, huh?”
“Opportunism is a fact, but I wouldn’t call it a paradise. We’re forced to pay protection taxes, after all.”
“Protection taxes?”
“Kamurangaamranga’s parliament has a ruling party and an opposition party.”
“Isn’t it normal for a parliament to consist of a ruling party and an opposition party?”
“Yes, but it’s unusual for the ruling party and the opposition party to have an exactly equal number of seats, isn’t it?”
“Is that considered being the ruling party?”
Speaking of which, they haven’t had elections, have they? In this world, nobles known as politicians aren’t uncommon.
“The current ruling party is the ethnic unification party. This is because the area around Kamurangaamranga is under the control of the Mechanist Army. If Operation Breakstorm is successful, the ethnic peace party, the opposition, will become the ruling party. That’s how the system works.”
“So, it’s an alliance city in name only, constantly changing its allegiance based on the circumstances of the surrounding regions?”
“Calling it ‘in name only’ might be an exaggeration. They selectively adopt policies favoring the Mechanist Army or the Alliance Army depending on the situation in the surrounding regions. It’s a city where the entity extorting them under the guise of protection taxes changes from time to time. That’s the reality of Kamurangaamranga.”
“Not participating in the war comes at a high price, too, huh?”
In Japan, even until not too long ago, many people thought water and peace were free…
According to my father, it’s a “foolish illusion brought on by complacency,” but wasn’t society good enough to afford such illusions? However, it’s problematic if even the rulers are lost in such illusions.
“I suppose their thinking is that it’s better than having their lives taken. I won’t say there’s no logic to that way of thinking. However, I personally don’t place any value on ‘the tranquility of livestock’.”
Tranquility, not peace. That’s certainly true. The situation in this city is close to that of a colony, and it can hardly be called peace. It’s merely tranquil.
“…Living under someone else’s control over your life and death, being exploited yet still able to survive. That ‘tranquility of livestock.’ Whether to accept that or not is a matter of differing opinions.”
“What about you, Lieutenant?”
“In the past, I would have chosen the tranquility of livestock.”
“In the past?”
“Not anymore. I have no desire to be ‘kept alive.’ I will ‘live’.”
Even if it means risking my life for it.
“We really do get along, don’t we? Life is just a way to kill time until you die, and being kept alive is the epitome of boredom.”
“It’s fine for us to have that kind of philosophy. However, the world must also allow for different ways of living. A world where the only choices are to ‘live’ while taking the risk of death, or to be content with the tranquility of livestock and be ‘kept alive,’ is a distorted one.”
“Perhaps Iska will change that?”
“I hope so.”
The world the Commander creates… won’t it become a world where a superior shepherd governs the sheep?
Of course, the Commander wouldn’t trample on the weak, nor would they engage in harsh exploitation.
But sheep have rules. Rules that say not to defy the shepherd.
Under the protection of a superior shepherd, obedient sheep can live in peace… but they are still being ‘kept alive.’
Of course, many people might be fine with that. No, perhaps the majority are.
… I see, that’s why I thought Rose, not the Commander, was the one who could change the world.
A world created by the imperfect Rose, rather than the perfect Commander, would be more appealing to me…
A slight jolt brought me back to reality. The Ferris wheel had stopped at the boarding platform.
“Let’s get off. It’s just like you, a cowardly virgin Lieutenant, to be unable to even kiss me when we’re alone in a confined space.”
“Even if I’m a pervert, I don’t necessarily resort to crime. I want to be a pervert with moderation.”
“… You say that with a tongue that just licked my cheek and earlobe. Isn’t that far more erotic than a kiss?”
“Hahaha. Don’t say that, you erotic.”
“Are you referring to Lilith? I won’t deny that I’m erotic. How about we go to a love hotel?”
… A love hotel. That’s not something a child would say.
“I’ll restrain myself. However, in eight years, I’ll be able to indulge in eroticism with Lilith without any reservations. This is a maturation period.”
“Wasn’t it six years?”
In my original world, the Civil Code was scheduled to be amended, raising the marriageable age for girls to 18.
In this world, there’s no point in adhering to Japan’s Civil Code.
“Either way, it’s in the future. We have the ‘Pact of Shared Destiny,’ so we’ll face it together, right?”
“I’ll accept that for now.”
“Since we’re here, let’s go shopping at the mall and then grab a drink before heading home.”
“Yes, sir. Chicken Lieutenant. Don’t forget to watch a movie too.”
That’s right. While the mini-theaters in the Garden aren’t bad, I still prefer watching movies on a big screen.
“I don’t mind the movie, but why ‘chicken’? I’m not particularly fond of fried chicken, you know.”
“Don’t try to change the subject. You need alcohol to build up your courage, or you won’t be able to go back out of fear of those two, right? I see right through you!”
She’s figured me out.
After shopping at the mall with Lilith, we enjoyed a movie. Now, all that’s left is to find a bar where we can have a light drink to muster up the courage to go home.
“Heh heh, don’t you think a girl’s image changes drastically just by changing her hairstyle a bit?”
Lilith, wearing the barrette I gave her, looked quite pleased.
“Absolutely. To borrow the Brigadier General’s words, it seems the world is full of fresh surprises.”
“Lieutenant, there’s a bar over there. It looks like it’s already open.”
“Shall we have a quick one before we go? Oh, and of course, Lilith will have a cola or soda, right?”
“You’re not even willing to compromise on non-alcoholic beer?”
“That’s a reasonable line to draw.”
“Deal. Let’s go ♪”
The establishment was sparse with customers just before opening.
Lilith and I sat at the far end of the counter and toasted with beer and non-alcoholic beer.
For snacks, we had a cheese platter and chilled tomatoes.
“Lieutenant, you really like chilled tomatoes, don’t you?”
Lilith said this while placing cheese on a tomato and bringing it to her mouth.
“Glutamate is amazing. Inosinate is also wonderful.”
“I also like carrots and cucumbers that are ice-cold from being in ice water. If you cut them into sticks, the sauce could be…”
“Miso mayonnaise. My favorite.”
I used to buy it often at convenience stores in high school.
“I thought so. I’ll make it for you next time. Lilith’s special chilled vegetable sticks with miso mayonnaise.”
“I’m super looking forward to it ♪”
I threw my hands up in the air, not caring who saw. Lilith’s special miso mayonnaise is bound to be exactly to my liking.
“…Excuse me, aren’t you Lieutenant Amakake?”
… I don’t know who this is, but why are they talking to me while I’m celebrating? It’s embarrassing!
“No, I’m Brad Pitt. And this is Angelina Jolie.”
“Just call me Angie. Mr. X.”
Lilith really goes along with my impromptu jokes perfectly. Though, Angelina is a bit much.
“… Setting her aside, you are clearly an Izuruha person, aren’t you? Mikoto-sama told me you have a liking for jokes…”
Mikoto-sama? This military uniform is from Terukyo Army, isn’t it…
“I am Lieutenant Colonel Ryutora Jin of the Terukyo Army. May I have a seat?”
“It seems you have more than just greetings. If you have something to discuss, shall we move to the table in the back?”
“That would be helpful.”
Since it was still early, there were no customers at the tables in the back. However, if they used directional hearing, it would be futile.
Depending on the topic, it might be better to change locations.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“…My sister also has poor judgment. However, with less than half a year since her debut, she’s earned the title of Kenrou. You have some merit.”
Sister? I’m meeting Major Rindou’s sister? Who could it be… I see.
“It’s natural for Tsubaki-san to look down on me.”
She was glaring at my unlined white shirt with a somewhat sullen expression.
“You’re correct. Tsubaki, the captain of Mikoto-sama’s guard, is my sister. Yes, she seems to not only be cautious but also possess insight.”
“Cautious?”
“She chose a seat with a clear view of the entire establishment, including the entrance, and there’s a pillar to my left. It’s positioned to obstruct Iai.”
I am deeply honored by your praise. It’s a technique I learned from Duke Togo.
Lieutenant Colonel Rindou appears to be in his mid-twenties. However, he doesn’t seem like someone who got promoted solely based on his family background.
He himself is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, and his sister is the captain of Mikoto-sama’s guard. He must indeed be from a prominent family in Terukyo…
I don’t know what he wants to talk about, but it seems worth listening to.
