Ever since Kanata arrived in this world, he had been forced into a chain of unreasonable demands. This time, however, he was on the receiving end of his first unreasonable demand.
Our unit, Asura Unit’s No. 0 Unit, Crystal Widow, returned safely to Rose Garden.
The excursion had concluded without incident.
The sense of relief upon seeing the stark, uninspiring sight of this base.
Even though I haven’t been here long, Rose Garden must already feel like home to me.
I headed to the infirmary to have my wounds treated.
I would be resting in the Medical Pod until the wound on my left arm was fully healed.
“Good morning, Kanata-kun. Your wound is already fine. You just need to let it heal naturally now,” said Dr. Hibiki, whose attractive mole was as charming as ever, as she looked at my medical chart.
“Is that so? Can I resume my Training as usual?”
“It would be best to refrain from any training that puts a strain on your left arm for about two days.”
“Understood.”
“And there’s some astonishing news.”
“What is it?”
“Your Combat Cells’ penetration rate has increased by 7%. That’s the highest growth rate for a solo operation in the Asura Unit. No, it’s probably the highest in the entire Alliance Army.”
Now that she mentioned it, I did feel sharper than before the operation.
This body really does absorb things easily, doesn’t it?
“I’m happy to have gotten stronger, but I also feel a bit conflicted. I wonder who will be the happiest about this result.”
“…Indeed, you would think so, Kanata-kun.”
The highest score for Combat Cell growth. The person who would be happiest about this result was undoubtedly Dr. Shijima.
In exchange for my strength, I had provided him with a basis for pushing forward with that experiment.
“Think positively, Kanata-kun. Your chances of survival have increased. You should be happy about it.”
“You’re right. If I die, it’ll all be for nothing. Thank you, Doctor.”
I bowed to Dr. Hibiki and left the infirmary.
I needed to find Marika-san.
Marika-san was in the smoking corner of the cafeteria, along with Rasen-san and Gen-san.
Rasen-san favored thin cigars, while Gen-san preferred a pipe.
The Asura Unit actually has quite a lot of smokers. The Commander smokes a thin cigarette like Bankoran, Lieutenant Colonel Kurando smokes cigars, and the blonde doctor was also a smoker.
Should I try smoking too? I don’t think it would suit me. I’ll pass.
As I sat down, Gen-san patted my head.
“So, your penetration rate has increased quite a bit, eh? That’s good, good.”
“Gen-san, I’m not a child, so please stop patting my head.”
Rasen-san, puffing on his cigar, said,
“With this, Kanata’s penetration rate is at 60%. That’s quite high even within the Asura Unit. And with a Nenshin Strength of 1 million n, your future looks promising.”
It felt good to be expected. That was something that never happened in my previous world.
“Kanata, shall we go soon?”
“Aye aye, boss.”
“Marika-sama, where are you going with Kanata?”
“To see Iska. I think I’ll be the one making an unreasonable demand for a change.”
As we headed towards the command room, Marika-san and I discussed our plans.
“Shouldn’t I be the one to say it?”
“No, this was my idea. I should do as much as I can on my own. Of course, I’ll need Marika-san’s help. I’m counting on you.”
“Understood. Kanata, you’re becoming quite the man. Keep it up.”
I knocked on the command room door.
“It’s Kanata, and Marika-san is here too. May we enter?”
“Yes, come in.”
Lieutenant Colonel Kurando was also in the room. He seemed to be processing a mountain of paperwork.
The smoke from two cigars swirled in the room.
Someone should at least turn on the ventilation fan.
The Commander licked the tip of his fountain pen and thanked me.
“You’ve worked hard this time. All mission objectives were achieved, and there were zero casualties. A true testament to the Crystal Widow.”
“Commander. About the children we rescued…”
“Don’t worry, Kanata. The healthy children have been placed in proper orphanages. The children suffering from psychological trauma will receive thorough care at specialized hospitals. I can’t guarantee their recovery, but I will personally check on the condition of those children afterwards. I will not treat those children, who are victims of a double tragedy, carelessly.”
“I’m not worried about that at all. What I want to ask is…”
“…Is it about Type X?”
“It’s not Type X. It’s about Lilith Lohengrin.”
“…Apparently, the Development Department is drooling over her. They’re hounding me to send her to the laboratory as soon as possible. It’s unbearable.”
“Are you planning to send Lilith to the laboratory?”
Lieutenant Colonel Kurando’s angry shout echoed in the small command room.
“Kanata! Know your place! While the Asura Unit has a free spirit, overstepping boundaries is not permitted!”
“With all due respect, it was we, the No. 1 Unit, who rescued her! I believe we have the right to know!”
“What did you say! You!…”
Lieutenant Colonel Kurando swallowed his next words.
…I suppose he wanted to say “You’re just a clone soldier.”
Marika-san stepped in to help.
“Iska, I’d also like to know your intentions regarding Lilith. Is Kanata correct that you plan to hand her over to the Development Department?”
“……….”
“Answer me. I’m not asking as the captain of the No. 1 Unit. I’m asking as your old friend, Iska. Can you not answer even then?”
“…What will you do if I say I’ll hand her over?”
“…Kanata says he’ll take Lilith and run away.”
“That’s absurd. That’s impossible. Kanata, you’re a sensible person, aren’t you? Are you just high after your first real battle?”
“I am completely calm.”
“If you desert, Marika will also be implicated. You understand…”
“It won’t be any trouble for me! I’ll escape with Kanata too!”
Lieutenant Colonel Kurando, who had been listening nearby, dropped his jaw with a *nga!* sound.
It was understandable. The ace of the Asura Unit was talking about deserting.
The Commander, usually calm and collected, questioned with a voice laced with anger.
“Marika! This is unlike you! What’s gotten into you!”
Marika-san responded with equal force.
“Unlike me? Don’t be ridiculous; this *is* me! The Alliance Army that Iska’s father created is different from the Alliance Army of today. I know that. But my friend, Midouisca, is different from the corrupt higher-ups of today. She’s shouldering a fight that we can’t, in order to restore it to its rightful form. That’s why we fight on the battlefield, risking our lives! She has no shame in using that girl for political bargaining, and anyone who does isn’t my friend. They’re no different from the corrupt higher-ups! You lot can all get along just fine… I’m out. I can’t stand this anymore!”
Marika-san’s fierce demeanor visibly unnerved the Commander.
If these two started a full-blown argument, it would be disastrous.
This was the moment to reveal my scheme.
“Commander, please listen to me. I’m not proposing this without any plan at all to deal with Lilith.”
The Commander scowled and took a cigarette from his case, which Lieutenant Colonel Kurando promptly lit for him.
“…Listen. What kind of plan do you have?”
“First, please tell me. If the Development Department wants her so badly, then Lilith must have incredible specs, right?”
“Yes, she has shape-shifting Combat Cells integrated into her hair, which she can manipulate freely. Her hair can also be used as a monomolecular whip. Her hair is also equipped with a newly developed Vanadium coating, which is likely the true reason the Development Department wants her.”
“Vanadium coating?”
“She envelops her entire body with her hair, using it as a rubber-like armor. Its primary purpose isn’t defense. It uses the repulsive force of the rubber to enhance power and speed. The Development Department is also researching it but hasn’t been successful. It consumes an enormous amount of Nenshin Power and puts a great physical strain on the user. However, it seems that while she cannot use it in actual combat, she *can* use the Vanadium coating itself.”
“She can use it, but she can’t?”
“Her frail physique wouldn’t withstand it physically. But she has overcome the issue of enormous Nenshin Power consumption.”
“How did she overcome the Nenshin Power consumption problem?”
“It’s simple. Her Combat Cell penetration rate is 50%, but her Nenshin Strength is 6 million n.”
6 million n! That’s six times mine!
She had the same eyes as me. She was like a mischievous little devil, but her specs were truly demonic.
Does that matter! I’ve taken a liking to her.
Whether she’s the demon lord’s daughter or not, I will find a way for her. I’ve decided on that!
Lately, my biggest worry is that I don’t have enough time to read because I spend too much time writing.
