LIGHTNOVELONLINE As Saori, who had been silently sobbing while comforted by Atsuko, dried her tears, a halo hovered prominently above the heads of all Squad members.
“…Forget it.”
Saori, with red eyes and a flushed face, said that… but really, can you just forget something just because someone tells you to?
Hiyori, rolling her eyes and gauging the situation, glanced at me with an unreadable expression. Then there was Azusa, staring blankly at the ceiling of the catacombs, and Misaki, who looked lost in thought. The commonality between them? They all saw Saori crying and averted their gaze as if to pretend they didn’t.
It was a small kindness that hinted at what kind of person Saori was to these kids.
“You could have just let it go without saying that, Leader. By the way, isn’t it fine to talk while the princess is speaking?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Hehe… um, I don’t really understand why we’re all tied up except the princess. Honestly, I’m so useless that it wouldn’t have mattered if I wasn’t tied up… it’s uncomfortable and painful…”
Ah, come to think of it, that’s not exactly wrong. If there were multiple ropes, we wouldn’t have had to tie everyone together. And if the only rope was too short, they’d just tie Saori and Azusa. With just our weapons confiscated, Hiyori and Misaki posed a total threat of zero.
…But saying they were a total threat of zero might be rude to them, right?
“Hahaha, I didn’t tie you up because I wanted to talk separately with Atsuko. And it’s also true you were awake before I tied you up. I definitely shot Hiyori twice, but she woke up later than Atsuko, who got hit three times, so it’s probably not my fault.”
“Waaah!!! I was weak, so it’s my fault! It’s hard enough being weak, but now I’m being punished for it too, life is just so painful… but then, getting stronger seems like it’s just going to make things more painful… so either way, it feels like both options are wrong…”
“Sorry, sorry, Hiyori! I’ll untie you as soon as Azusa promises to stay still. Azusa is so quick it’s like a squirrel, so if she starts flailing, it’ll just be a hassle.”
I looked into Azusa’s eyes as I said that. Honestly, whether it was using booby traps or the quick movements from her small stature, Azusa feels like the most annoying opponent to face in Squad.
I now knew that Saori was tougher. Despite both of them getting beaten up, Saori held on a little longer. Although it doesn’t mean much considering I barely took any meaningful hits during the whole fight.
“Leader.”
“Azusa… Looks like she has no intention of harming us. The princess’s safety is secure, and I’ve decided to trust this woman.”
“This woman… that sounds a bit off. Why not just call me Mika? You know I’m your age!”
“…Fine. I’ll do that from now on.”
“Are we not fighting anymore, Leader? No matter how futile it may seem, we can’t just give up resisting.”
“…You might talk to Mika better than I do, but yeah. Resistance is over. This mission has failed. Even if the ropes are untied right now, I won’t move until we finish our discussion.”
“…”
I briefly glanced at Saori before catching Azusa staring at me in silence again. I still couldn’t figure out what she was thinking until she suddenly nodded.
“You don’t seem to want to deceive us. Then if that’s your decision, I’ll follow.”
“Hahaha! Good thinking! Now we can finally have a proper conversation.”
…Sigh.
We had our ups and downs, but we finally made it here. With my actions, the entire incident regarding the Eden Treaty basically wouldn’t occur. Once I resolve the Beatrice issue, I might get a bit less busy… or maybe not.
In fact, the work related to Arius will only increase, and considering the diplomatic issues with Gehenna and the problems within Trinity itself, it’s confirmed that I’ll be living a life buried in work. Most of it was self-inflicted, but… I can only imagine how much worse it would’ve been if money were really tight.
I untied the ropes holding the squad in place, but everyone seemed content to stay seated except Azusa. So why did you stand up alone, Azusa?
“Recon.”
“Azusa! That’s enough, just sit down again. This matter is important for you too.”
“…Got it.”
After sitting Azusa back down, I approached Atsuko and Saori. Atsuko, who was smiling brightly at Saori’s red eyes, turned her gaze to me.
“Well then! Since we’re finally in a talking mood, let me formally introduce myself. I’m Misono Mika from the second year of Trinity and one of the three student council presidents. You can think of me as the top authority of Trinity, the one you’ve been taught to despise. Feel free to call me whatever you like. Mika-chan, Mika, anything’s fine as long as it’s not too distant☆.”
“Like, ‘Mika-nee’ for example.”
“…Yeah, well, that’s fine too.”
Atsuko was smiling so wide it looked like she could rival a sunflower, and she wouldn’t take her eyes off me. What is it? Do I really like her that much?
I mean, having a cute little sister sounds great, but… seeing how much she likes me makes me worry I might disappoint her somehow.
“…I’ll call you Mika.”
All the while, Misaki continued staring blankly at the ceiling. This girl definitely needs some focused care and probably some mental counseling as well. I wonder how many students in our class aren’t affected by anything.
“Me too.”
I expected that from Azusa. Even without me saying anything, she would’ve started calling me that someday.
“Hehe… um, then I’ll call you Mika-chan? I’ll call you? I’ll just do it…? Since Mika-chan allowed me, it should be okay for me to dare to do that, right…?”
“Yeah, I prefer being called freely. Plus, since Hiyori-chan is calling me in a friendly way, it feels like we’re already close… it’s a nice feeling☆.”
“Um, being friends with someone like me won’t bring any good to Mika-chan… My life is just filled with hardships and pain, after all. So if you become friends with me, you’d definitely end up entangled in that… Hehe… wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t stay close?”
“Hahaha, then I’ll help you become happy for all the pain and suffering you’ve had until now. Happy things are totally fine to get mixed up in, right?”
“Mika-chan… Waaaah!!!”
“Yeah, it’s okay. From now on, I’ll be your umbrella.”
While I patted Hiyori, who had half-leaped into my arms, I thought, it looks like Squad has two crybabies. Our Saori and Hiyori.
“…Mika. Are you perhaps thinking something you shouldn’t right now?”
“Eh, no way~.”
I mean, seriously. This female intuition? It exists, I swear! Just not for me.
What the heck is up with this discriminatory treatment against guys?
“More importantly, Saori, do you have enough medical supplies? If you’re lacking, I’ll take care of things up top and bring some over just in case. I know it’s not my place to say since I’m the one who put you and Azusa in this state… but still, you both look pretty awful.”
“…No. We don’t need it. Even if you give us high-quality medical supplies, it’ll only raise Madams suspicious. Even if you help us, it’s not like everything will get resolved in one go, right? So we mustn’t let Madam know we’ve betrayed her. Especially since I, who frequently meets her, need to be extra careful.”
“Hmm… That’s definitely true. I didn’t think that aspect through. It can’t be helped in this case… Sorry for bringing it up carelessly.”
“What’s there to apologize for? It’s just that you are stronger than us, Mika. If Azusa and I were stronger, we wouldn’t even get the chance to have this peaceful conversation, so we should be thanking you instead.”
Wow, why is Saori talking so beautifully? Plus, with those tear-stained, red eyes on such a handsome face, the gap moe is unreal. Staring at Saori made something catch my eye.
I reached out and removed Saori’s cap. I then traced my finger over the inscription that read ECC. 12:8.
“…What are you doing?”
“Vanitas vanitatum, dixit Ecclesiastes, et omnia vanitas. The preacher said, vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Death is inevitable; thus, life is fleeting and vain. To live a life not following the ten commandments given by the primordial deity is all in vain; therefore, serve the primordial holiness and find pleasure in a life that is futile.”
Although I was ignorant of the Bible, I listened to the book they refer to as the sacred text here through audio to adapt to this life, and I took time to read it as well. I live a life that seems faithful while in my heart, I do not serve God. It’s quite a contradiction, yet it allows me to provide these kids with a different perspective.
“This is my interpretation of the saying Beatrice misinterpreted and taught, which means that everything is in vain, so don’t harbor any hopes. I engraved this saying here to rebuild the once broken heart, and I hope that hearing a slightly more accurate interpretation of the original teaching will help you live on.”
“…So it means don’t sin, and instead, seek the happiness you can obtain while living.”
“Hahaha, yeah. At least that’s how I interpreted it. If all goes well, we might have a chance to talk with the sisters from Trinity too, so I recommend chatting with them when you get the chance. I recently had some help from them, and it wasn’t a bad experience.”
I returned Saori’s cap to her hands. It’s time to discuss the obstacles blocking these kids from living better lives, namely Beatrice.
“The current student council president governing the Arius Autonomous District, Beatrice… she and the instructors who subjugate your students with violence must be expelled. This isn’t something I can resolve easily on my own, so I’ll need a bit of time. At the very least, I’ll need to mobilize the Justice Realization Department and the Rescue Knights.”
I perceive that the Justice Realization Department and the Rescue Knights would have enough strength to subdue the Arius Autonomous District and drive out Beatrice. Even with the squad being our enemies, it wouldn’t have mattered much, especially since we’ve managed to lure them to our side. Honestly speaking, subduing the Arius Branch is a piece of cake.
Since the Justice Realization Department is affiliated with the T-party, mobilizing them shouldn’t be a major problem. Plus, I’ve previously secured some assistance from Mine for the Rescue Knights, so I believe I can gain enough support there.
Hmm… No. If we’re going to push through by attrition, bringing in the Sisterhood would certainly ensure better odds. I need to meet up with Mine and Sakurako as soon as possible.
“As we prepare on our end, you guys need to guide us to the Arius Autonomous District. For that, you’ll inevitably have to return to gather the chant that will help us map the area from the catacombs.”
“Don’t worry about us, Mika-nee! This is something we can do, and we should be doing it for ourselves. Right, Saori?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I won’t get caught, no matter what happens with Madam. Even if I do get caught, I’d rather die than confess.”
“No, Saori! If it comes to Beatrice, she’ll shake you up using Atsuko or Azusa. So we absolutely cannot allow ourselves to get caught.”
“…That’s also true. I’ll make sure to remember that.”
Personally, I sincerely hope Gematria doesn’t get involved in this. I don’t really want to face them head-on. What good would it do to attract unnecessary attention to myself? I wish they would behave like their teacher-worshipping selves and just wait quietly for their teacher to arrive.
“First, let me ask, does the bomb that destroys halos exist under Beatrice’s control?”
“No, I’ve never heard of such a dangerous object.”
So does that mean one dangerous element is being reduced? Or perhaps they possess it but just haven’t told the squad about it? After all, Atsuko’s gas mask was made with help from the black suits, all of whom are members of Gematria. Always assuming the worst is the way to avoid it.
“Got it. Handling Beatrice is up to us. This could possibly be a part of Trinity’s atonement effort. So you just need to clear the way for us.”
“…I refuse. I owe Madam a debt I must repay directly. The squad will support you fully, Mika.”
I had a feeling Saori would say something like that… but judging by the other kids’ expressions, refusing doesn’t seem to be an option. Misaki seems determined as well.
“…Alright. Then Atsuko-chan, take this.”
“This is a backup battery…?”
“I brought this in case things go well so you can contact us when you need to. I know the situation in Arius is tough. And this is a portable wireless internet router. I’m not sure if it works in the Arius Autonomous District, but having it could help maintain communication.”
I gave it to Atsuko instead of Saori because it seemed less likely that Atsuko would get caught carrying such items. Since Saori is more likely to cross paths with Beatrice than the squad.
“If this goes well, I plan to make Arius a faction of Trinity again. More than anything, you don’t have to worry about facing persecution for differing interpretations of sacred texts this time. I’ve already secured cooperation from the Sisterhood’s abbess☆.”
While it’s not solely for their sake, I’m doing my best to clear obstacles away. So please, Student Council President, ensure the Eden Treaty is successfully signed. I’m serious about that.