77. Resolution

(Stara is right... I don't necessarily have to choose between working with Teslovik and working against them.)

(In that case, I...)

Hey, Stara.

Ah, you've made a decision now?

No. It's not easy to immediately come to a decision for something like this. I'll treat it as a sort of homework for myself.

Oh? Well, if that's what works for you, then sure.

What about you, Stara? You came here because something's bothering you too, didn't you?

Huh? How could you tell, Wait, I mean...

Ha, I knew it.

I hope I don't sound rude, but you don't seem like the kind of person who would come to the training room to practice for no reason.

And instead of going ahead with your training, you sat around and listened to me vent... so I thought you must not be here to train after all.

Anyway, you're right. I came here to think... about my hometown.

Your hometown? Eastrise, right? Why did you come all the way here to think about it?

Because with the simulation facilities here, I can pretend I'm in Eastrise.

I come here to appreciate the view of my hometown whenever I'm free. No one's ever caught me doing this, though. So do keep it a secret!

All right, I promise. Well, since this is a rare occasion, how about you show me the stunning views of your hometown now?

Sure.

What was that sudden battle simulation? Gave me quite the shock!

Sorry, I pressed the wrong button...

(Clears throat) Back to the point... You've probably already seen this during the previous training session. This is my hometown: Eastrise City, capital of Eastrise. The city is named after the nation itself.

To be honest, I was too busy processing the info-dump to enjoy the view back then... Now that I'm having a good look, it truly is a stunning city.

Skyscrapers everywhere... Yet in between them are ancient buildings in the traditional style. It's like scenes from multiple different eras have converged in this city.

Ah, I see you're quite observant. Eastrise City is indeed like that.

Before the Calamity, in the east of the continent where Eastrise currently stands, there used to be several nations with different cultures and backgrounds. But all of that was shattered after the Calamity.

The tenacious humans did not surrender, though. Citizens of different nations and cultures began to work together in order to survive the catastrophe.

That was how the Joint Council, once known as the Joint Relief Council, was formed, with the citizens of pre-Calamity Eastrise as its leaders.

As Eastrise was somewhat less damaged compared to other territories, they established their base of reconstruction there and accepted all refugees who fled the eastern nations.

That was how the current Eastrise City was built. You get it now? This city was a symbol of the revival of the civilizations in the eastern continent. Eastrise was a melting pot of multiple cultures.

...Was? You mean the current Eastrise is no longer like that?

That's right. My hometown has changed... After the former chairwoman, Mahiru, was assassinated, the Joint Council no longer had a leader.

Raeon, daughter and successor of Mahiru, chose to go against Niz. The Joint Council thus ended up with two opposing sides, Eastrise and Bifrost...

Under Raeon's rule, Eastrise, once a democracy, instantly became a monarchy.

The changes Raeon made didn't affect just politics, the citizens, too, were under heavy censorship and intense scrutiny.

The natural disasters occurring back to back smashed practically all the glass wares in my boutique...

I didn't want to remain in an Eastrise that was no longer free. So I closed my shop and set off on my journey.

...Eh, I'll be honest, the slow business was the real reason I left. I still get homesick, though. That's why I'd come to the training room from time to time.

When I'm here, I'm forced to face the truth that I've been avoiding...

That's right, I still love Eastrise. Not the current Eastrise under Raeon's rule, but the Eastrise that was a melting pot for all sorts of people and cultures.

If only I could get my Eastrise back again... I would do anything.

I see. Could this be why you joined Teslovik?

Well, partly, I guess...

Wait... wait! You know all about my past now! Is this a scam or what?

Huh? Weren't you the one who started this conversation?

No excuses! Anyway, this conversation ends here. Away with you!

I didn't even do anything...

(At least I feel a bit better thanks to Stara.)

(While loyal towards Teslovik, Stara is also deeply homesick for her hometown.)

(She really has a lot on her mind, huh...)

Is everyone here?

Yes, Lieutenant General Mori. Dr. Aiken is present today as well. She's got something to tell us all.

To be honest, I'd much rather remain in the lab and finish my work... But there's something I just cannot ignore.

Please tell us, then. Better now than never.

All right. See, this morning, the Echo Crystal particle sensing device I was testing captured a curious phenomenon.

The Echo Crystal particles in a certain area of Eastrise have all stopped reacting all of a sudden.

This phenomenon encompassed an area of 1,200 square kilometers. That's around half the size of Stoker City.

...Could the device be broken?

I considered this possibility too, but the results of all other areas are just fine. Therefore, I believe it is very unlikely that the device would be broken or damaged.

Well, let's say if the particles have really all vanished. What do you think could have caused that?

The following is just a theory of mine...

No need to beat around the bush. It's likely because someone used a Relic!

...

Fenriru, I'm making my presentation.

...No, forget it. I'll hand it over to you now.

All right! So... Ahem... I'll start my speech, then! I believe that we need to consider the connection between Relics and the disappearance of the Echo Crystal particles!

You already said that. And what's your reason?

Simple. With the current technology humans possess, there's no way anyone can erase that many Echo Crystal particles all at once!

Or should I say... if we had the technology to do so, the world would be prospering by now. There would be no more wars. Everyone would be working together towards a better future and...

Get to the point, Fenriru. Do you not see General Niz glaring at you?

Huh? Uh... Okay, back to the point. Due to process of elimination, we can tell that this phenomenon must have been caused by the technology of the past civilizations. Therefore, the Relics must be the cause.

Of course, we still know way too little about the Calamity and Echo Crystals. We can't completely rule out natural causes, of course...

Either way, it's certainly intriguing, I mean, alarming!

It's imperative that we launch an investigation immediately! That's right, immediately! There's no time to waste! (pants heavily)

Calm down, Fenriru. It's Eastrise we're dealing with. It can't be as simple as you think.

I'm sure you realize how delicate the situation is between Eastrise and Bifrost Industries, yes?

Of course! I'm suuuuper knowledgeable when it comes to the relations and the history between the two nations. In fact, it won't be an exaggeration to say that I'm more knowledgeable than anyone else in the world! That's right!

I'm sure you see how sensitive the situation is, then. Yes, we must investigate, you say... but with what excuse can we send our people to the target location?

Well, uh... hm... We can say they're just there to collect mushrooms?

This isn't the time to kid around, Fenriru.

Raeon's had her eyes on us ever since General Niz declared the independence of Bifrost Industries. If there's a chance to make us part of Eastrise once more, she won't hesitate to take it.

That was what happened during the war five years ago. Though Yulia was technically the one who started it, Raeon was probably only too glad to see it happen.

If General Niz had retired... If peaceful negotiation was not a choice... The land under our feet could very well belong to Eastrise by now.

After all, our nation and theirs are technically still allies and trade partners while certain conditions are in effect. Kind of a miracle, come to think of it.

That's right. It's the only reason the citizens of Bifrost can now live in peace and prosperity. To maintain the status quo, we must be extremely cautious so that Eastrise would have no reason to start a war.

...Not before we're ready for war, at least. Got it?

If I may speak, esteemed Generals... Do you mean that we must sit back and do nothing about this mass disappearance of Echo Crystal particles?

...Lieutenant Mori's word is final. The military of Bifrost Industries will not interfere.

Ooh! So non-military Teslovik organizations CAN interfere. That's what you two mean, right? Gotcha, you've made it very clear!

Fenriru, you...

No, Mori, let's leave it at that. Lieutenant, we're not going to stop you if you insist on investigating. However, if any ''complications'' arise, the government of Bifrost Industries will not hesitate to cut ties with you and your people.

You're willing to sacrifice the safety and integrity of your subordinates and yourself, just to satisfy your curiosity. Am I understanding it correctly?

Are you really so emotionless and foolish, Fenriru?

(...Can Fenriru really be trusted to handle this?)

(Niz's reaction doesn't seem all that optimistic... Depending on how Fenriru reacts, we might both end up literally beheaded...)

...Heh... hehehehe...

...Forgive me for being rude, great Niz. I never said I'd be sacrificing anything.

Besides, if, when, my theory is proven correct...

We know that the disappearance of the Echo Crystal particles is indeed caused by a Relic, what, then? If Eastrise has already had a breakthrough in their research on relics and applied what they found to their weapons... what, then?

Even if the chance of my predictions coming true is a mere 1%, the Niz I know would never choose to stand by and wait. What, in this situation, are the most ideal measures we can take?

I'm looking forward to your prudent and ingenious solution, great Niz.

...

...

(Oh dear. She's gone ahead and signed our death certificate.)

...Hmph.

Whatever. Treat it like Mori and I were away today. No matter what happens in Eastrise, we don't know a thing.

So I can go investigate, right?

Don't talk to someone who's not here... Let's go, Mori.

...All right.

Waaaahhh! That was terrifying! I thought I was dead for sure!

Isn't that supposed to be my line, idiot? At least tell me before you try anything this risky!