Kanata seems to be living a thrilling daily life.
“It was fortunate to meet you by chance. I was a bit reluctant to ask Brigadier General Hinkley or Captain Higakure to arrange a meeting with you.”
“And why is that?”
“I don’t have any personal connections with either of them. And…”
“The Terukyo Army has a bad reputation. It’s said that Marshal Toga’s influence has permeated his subordinates. He has a bad personality despite having a face like that of a bunny. ”
The sharp-tongued little girl cut him off. …Come to think of it, Marshal Toga was from Terukyo.
“…Bunny… *Pfft*……”
Lieutenant Colonel Rindo covered his sides and face, desperately trying to suppress his laughter.
“Hey, Lilith. Lieutenant Colonel Rindo is from the Terukyo Army. Behave yourself.”
“I only said what I heard. At least you agreed about the bunny face, right?”
“Not with the Garden, but that kind of behavior can create unnecessary enemies outside!”
“When there are enemies, you can level up by defeating them. Everything I do is for Lieutenant Amak’s sake.”
“Don’t compare this to a video game! It’s not entirely wrong, but it doesn’t justify making unnecessary enemies!”
!! A note was passed to me under the table… He wants me to open a telepathic communication channel?
(What do you mean?)
(Telepathic communication is best for sensitive conversations.)
(I don’t mind, but I’ll connect Lilith to the channel as well. I have no intention of hiding anything from her.)
(Understood.)
Lilith, now connected to the channel, maintains the facade by chatting about everyday matters and brings up a game of speed chess.
The Lieutenant Colonel and Lilith place their Handycoms on the table and play hologram chess.
It’s a relief that they’re so considerate. This way, if I pretend to be having a conversation here and there, I won’t be suspected even if I don’t say much.
(Ugh, they’re coming at me like that… …I’m outmatched. They’re really strong.)
(Rindo, the chess game doesn’t matter, does it!)
(Hahaha, chess is my hobby, so I get carried away. The matter is this: a secret mission was issued from the home country. It’s to investigate your movements.)
(What! Investigate Lieutenant Amak…?! )
…Investigate my movements? …I see. The pieces are falling into place. A capable woman’s work is swift. This is a side effect.
(Did Commander of my place transmit information about the Hachioki Family to Supreme Commander Garyu?)
(That’s right. Supreme Commander Garyu is a cautious man. He must have worried that the scattered Hachioki Family might gather under you, the head of the main family.)
(Hmph! Cautious? You mean suspicious, right? He’s probably thinking that if my father had eradicated the Hachioki Family like he did the Murakumo Family, there wouldn’t be any loose ends, isn’t that it?)
(Lilith, you’re going too far. Lieutenant Colonel Rindo, I understand now. You can’t investigate my movements because the Crystal Widow, my unit, is a nest of the strongest ninja army. So you came here to probe my intentions directly, didn’t you?)
Investigating the movements of someone like me, a member of the Crystal Widow crawling with Higakure clan members, is beyond unreasonable. It’s impossible. This is why those in high positions who have only ever given orders are so troublesome. They have no idea about the struggles on the front lines.
(I didn’t come to probe your intentions, but to have an honest conversation. Even if it were technically possible, I had no intention of investigating your movements. Lady Mikoto regards Lieutenant Amak as a younger brother. If you’ve earned such trust from Lady Mikoto, who possesses the Dragon’s Eye, you must be a trustworthy man. Therefore, I wish to consult with you on how to proceed. I’ll ask directly: what are your intentions?)
(What Grandfather Mikoto did was wrong. However, I have no intention of participating in revenge against the Mikado Family. The party involved, Supreme Commander Sayru, is already dead. If I were to seek revenge on the perpetrator, I might have lent a hand, but seeking revenge on his children or grandchildren is absurd.)
Although, the fact that his son, Supreme Commander Garyu, is continuously incurring hatred from various quarters is a major problem…
(You have no intention of turning against the Mikado Family, do you?)
(No. And to be frank, I’d prefer to avoid becoming the head of the Hachioki Family as well. But if I remain uninvolved, the Hachioki Family might lose its restraint. That would be a threat to Terukyo, wouldn’t it?)
(Is the Hachioki Family as strong as you say you are a threat?)
(They’re not numerous, but they are strong. You understand how troublesome a few elite individuals can be when they become terrorists, don’t you, Lieutenant Colonel?)
(Indeed. Exceptionally capable individuals can achieve more than an entire army. Even if it’s against your will, having you take the reins of the Hachioki Family might be the best course of action.)
(Rindo, isn’t that too convenient? Don’t just push the trouble onto Lieutenant Amak! It’s only right that the Terukyo side should persuade the Hachioki Family and seek coexistence!)
(If that were possible, I would want to do so. Perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this as a retainer of the Mikado Family, but the way the Murakumo Family and the Hachioki Family were treated was clearly a mistake. I can no longer apologize to the Murakumo Family, who were completely annihilated, but I can still atone for what was done to the Hachioki Family. When Lady Mikoto’s reign arrives, I hope to see Lieutenant Amak appointed as the head and return to Terukyo. Lady Mikoto herself must desire that. If Terukyo can hold on until then…)
Whoa, wait a minute.
(If it can hold on? Is Terukyo’s situation that dire!)
(It’s not public knowledge, but we’ve already thwarted two coup d’état attempts this year. A coup is discovered, Supreme Commander Garyu tightens his grip harshly, and in reaction, another coup is planned. This has been the cycle for the past few years. If Lady Mikoto weren’t acting as a brake, there would have been many more coup attempts. The reason the populace hasn’t erupted is the hope that Terukyo will change once Lady Mikoto’s reign begins.)
Damn it! Trouble keeps arising everywhere!
(With things in such a state, is it appropriate to send a capable officer like yourself, Lieutenant Colonel Rindo, on an expedition? What are you thinking!)
(I volunteered. I wanted to meet you, and more importantly, it’s better than letting Bunny take command. As for Terukyo, Major General Hashiba, the Commander of the Defense Forces, is quite capable, so nothing serious should happen.)
The older brother of our First Unit’s military doctor, Teacher Hasiba, is a high-ranking military official, I heard. So he was the defense commander of Terukyo.
(In any case, I will pacify the Hachioki Family. Shizuru and the White Wolf Group, who are the main forces of the Hachioki, were born after the Hachioki Family was exiled from Terukyo, so they haven’t been directly persecuted. As long as the Terukyo side doesn’t make a move, I believe they will refrain from any action.)
(In other words, if we make a move, they won’t stand down, is that it?)
(Of course. Everyone has the right to defend themselves from harm aimed at them.)
(Lieutenant Amak, if self-defense turns into excessive force, you won’t be held responsible! If you hate that, Rindo, take responsibility and deal with that meddlesome Garyu!)
“Check!”
Looking at the piece moved on the board, Lieutenant Colonel Rindo scowled. It seemed to be the move that decided the game.
(What a fierce young lady. …No defense, it seems.)
“I resign. You’re strong, young lady.”
“Naturally. You weren’t bad yourself.”
(Lieutenant Amak, within my sphere of influence, I will never allow the Hachioki Family to make a move. I promise you that.)
(So you can’t guarantee responsibility for things outside your influence?)
(It’s impossible to say that there won’t be anyone acting to please the Supreme Commander. We don’t lack such individuals.)
(How awful. Why don’t you open a talent agency for inept soldiers?)
(The market is saturated, young lady. Inept soldiers are overflowing everywhere. Lieutenant Amak, if you cannot stop individuals acting outside my influence, I will warn you. Please think about how we can contact each other. You may think this is irresponsible, but this is the best I can do.)
(Understood. Thank you.)
“The unit I lead will be joining the Hinkley Division. We’ll be comrades for a while. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Amak.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“It’s been a while since I lost a game of chess. I’d like to play a proper match, not a speed game. Will you play with me again, young lady?”
“I’ll play with you when I have the time. Ciao, Lieutenant Colonel.”
“Then, until next time.”
Lieutenant Colonel Rindo smiled, saluted, and left the table with the bill.
Lieutenant Colonel Rindo is reliable, but Terukyo’s situation is not good. The complicated circumstances are escalating.
…I have to protect Lady Mikoto no matter what, or Grandpa will come back to haunt me.
