Chapter 289 - Springtime, Flowers in Full Bloom
The chill of early mornings and evenings aside, the days had grown thoroughly warm.
Season had turned to spring.
The cheerful weather and bright prospects lifted the morale of the Kikyo Society members beyond measure.
While handling routine tasks and advancing preparations, they welcomed this pleasant season with open arms.
Not only was everyone’s physical and mental health flourishing, but work was progressing smoothly as well.
The hotel business maintained a high occupancy rate day after day, and the casino’s revenue was breaking last year’s records almost daily.
And the stream of new apprentices arriving? The numbers had skyrocketed far beyond any previous peak.
“At this rate, the tournament should be quite the spectacle.”
“The growing popularity of the category-based champion system is a major factor. Ticket demand has already turned into a fierce competition—there’s no doubt it’ll be a huge success.”
“We can also expect strong sales from betting slips.”
The casual conversation among the Chairwoman, Vice-Commander, and Head of Operations carried a light, relaxed tone.
Though the warmth of spring had brought increased busyness, the healthy cash flow seemed to buoy not just the leadership but the entire organization’s spirits.
At some point soon, I’d need to rein things in—myself included—before complacency led to careless mistakes.
“Excuse me, Chairwoman! Pardon the intrusion!”
Prine, Director of the Construction Bureau, burst into the office with a booming voice.
“Oh! Vice-Commander and Head of Operations too!”
“Prine? What is it?”
“It’s about that thing! Finished it, so I came to report!”
Already? It hadn’t even been twenty days since I’d given the order.
I’d asked Prine and the Construction Bureau to build a full-scale mock-up of a pirate ship for combat simulation training.
Despite being reduced to piracy, the vessel had once been a warship—large and complex. I’d assumed the unfamiliar task would take time, that it wouldn’t be easy.
But the so-called warships here bore little resemblance to the warships I faintly remembered.
No cannons or heavy artillery, no radar or sonar—none of the large-scale military equipment I associated with warships. That was because attacks and reconnaissance were primarily conducted through magic.
Instead, the ship was equipped with numerous magical devices to facilitate navigation. Combined with living quarters and facilities for a large crew, as well as space for small boats and vehicles, the vessel was quite massive.
The mock-up needed to be built to scale, interior included, so we could conduct realistic simulations inside.
To assemble such a colossal structure in such a short time—impressive, to say the least.
“Fast? It’s just a mock-up! It doesn’t float, it doesn’t move—this kind of thing, I can whip up as many as you want! But don’t worry, all dimensions are exact.”
“I had no doubts. Still, excellent work. Thanks to you, we can accelerate our plans and move forward on multiple fronts.”
“Yes, very helpful. Then let’s begin training, starting with the combat divisions that have the most flexibility. Siegrune, I’ll leave the coordination to you.”
Siegrune nodded, said she wanted to inspect the mock-up first, and headed underground with Prine.
Even a mock-up of a warship’s structure was classified. The operation itself couldn’t be made public, so we couldn’t just plop the ship down above ground.
That’s why we’d built it underground at Headquarters. Beneath the underground parking lot lay a vast open space—we’d put it to good use.
I thought about going to see the ship myself, but just then, Frederica’s secretary entered the office, so I decided to wait a moment.
Frederica accepted a report and began reading. With her signature square-rimmed glasses, she looked oddly intellectual.
“…This came sooner than expected.”
Frederica murmured, eyes still on the document.
“What is?”
“From the Magic Item Guild. They say they’ve already delivered the full quantity of monster-repelling magical devices effective underwater. They also have another matter to discuss, so April and I will go pick them up.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Frederica, who loved collecting magical items as a hobby, seemed genuinely pleased to have a work-related reason to visit the Magic Item Guild. As I saw her off, I fell into thought.
The equipment we’d requested could prove crucial in anti-piracy operations. To have it delivered ahead of schedule was a relief. I’d been worried about delays.
Depending on the situation, one possible strategy involved approaching the pirate ship from underwater.
But the sea was home to aquatic magical beasts—hence the need for anti-beast magical devices.
We strongly preferred to avoid underwater combat. Naturally, fighting underwater was vastly different from fighting on land.
No solid footing—no kicking off the ground to close or create distance, no stable stance. Water resistance made movement sluggish, and breathing was impossible.
Agility that worked on land became useless underwater, and most magic suffered severe limitations.
Our entire combat style would need to change to remain effective. My hand-to-hand combat and throwing techniques would be especially compromised. If powerful magical beasts were present, it would be extremely dangerous.
Moreover, if we were attacked by beasts during a covert underwater approach, the noise could ruin the entire operation.
That’s why we sought not combat-assisting devices, but ones that simply kept magical beasts away.
We’d welcome combat-enhancing devices too, but using them would require proper underwater combat training—otherwise, we’d be halfway prepared at best. Our priority was mission success, and avoiding unnecessary fights was preferable.
“Well then, it’s a lovely day outside. No point going underground when the weather’s like this—maybe I’ll just go enjoy a bit of fresh air.”
I could leave the pirate ship simulation to Siegrune, and the mock-up inspection could wait. With no paperwork today, I decided to go out and reconnect with nature.
Switching into outing mode, I first returned to my room to change.
I swapped my soft, feminine pastel clothes for an army-green combat jacket and pants, and traded my sandals for dark brown boots.
Throwing on my moon-white Chester coat and slipping on teardrop-shaped sunglasses completed the look. I kept my hair tied back—practical for the warming season.
Descending the stairs to the underground parking lot, I mounted my sleek machine, its blue frame accented with golden parts.
“Time to shine, Neutronstar Andromeda!”
With uncharacteristically high spirits, I revved the engine and shot out of Kikyo Society Headquarters.
I headed eagerly toward a secluded, nature-rich area within our territory. Exembra, though bustling in parts, contained vast stretches of natural wilderness within its outer walls.
Moving slowly under the pleasant afternoon sun, I soon entered the administrative district.
There were no marked boundaries or signs, but the bridge over the river served as a de facto border between governed zones. This area wasn’t inhabited, nor was it profitable—just a loose territorial line.
Continuing at a leisurely pace past the administrative line, the scenery gradually shifted from lush nature to barren desolation. This was the so-called wasteland.
I didn’t know the details, nor did I care much, but from what I’d heard, long ago, squatters had settled here and wreaked havoc on the environment.
After crossing the empty wasteland, I spotted a barbed wire fence and wooden barrier stretched across like a boundary line.
This was the land we’d acquired as a reward for the academy raid, now managed by Lily of the R&D Bureau.
The roughly fenced area was spacious—easily large enough to fit four or five full-sized sports stadiums. No wonder they’d handed it over so freely; it was useless land.
I rode slowly along the fence, found a gap, and slipped through.
Fresh tire tracks on the ground suggested someone had passed through—likely leading to whoever was inside.
With my engine roaring across the silent wasteland, my approach was impossible to miss.
Ahead, near a small truck, stood a woman dressed entirely in moon-white fabric.
“Heyyy, Yukari-saaaan!”
As I lowered the pointless engine noise, the voice reached me. Waving from nearby was our R&D Bureau Gochou, Orchid Lily.
Her fitted robe-like coat and signature wide-brimmed, sharply pointed triangular hat stood out clearly.
Her drawn-out, gentle voice didn’t quite fit the rough image of the Kikyo Society, but I liked it.
I pulled up, parked the bike, removed my sunglasses, and tucked them into my chest pocket, boots crunching on the wasteland soil.
“Lily, you’re here alone?”
“Just came to check on things~”
There was only one small truck parked nearby. She must’ve come by herself.
A gentle, beautiful woman, all alone in this desolate place.
Part of me worried, but appearances aside, Lily’s combat ability was no joke. Any gang of thugs foolish enough to attack her would end up as fertilizer for the wasteland.
“How’s the land? I heard it was barren, but it’s truly empty, isn’t it?”
The ground sprouted only scattered patches of grass. No trees or shrubs at all. Not quite a desert, but definitely lifeless.
“The soil’s worse than I imagined~”
Lily said with a troubled expression.
It might work as a test site for soil improvement experiments, but it was unsuitable for flower fields or high-quality crop cultivation.
Well, it was an easy reward for minimal effort—maybe this was to be expected. I’d hoped the space could be used creatively, but at least as farmland, it was a bust.
Then again, we already had farmland, and beastmen in southern minor nations were growing crops for us—no current shortage. If we needed more, they’d likely oblige.
I’d hoped to let Lily use this wide-open land as she pleased, but it seemed my plan had backfired.
The R&D Bureau had plenty of responsibilities beyond Charlotte’s research on marking magic and Lily’s plant studies.
They analyzed known magic and magical items—assessing strengths, weaknesses, and applications. They conducted experiments with magical minerals and collaborated with combat units on battle technique research. With such broad duties, Lily probably had ideas for how to use the space effectively.
Alternatively, since no one would complain about pollution here, it could serve as a testing ground for large-scale, dangerous magic or experimental potions. The underground training grounds or the Northeast Forest weren’t suited for such trials.
With no witnesses and nothing around to obscure visibility, any approaching person would be spotted immediately. As a secret testing site, it was actually quite convenient.
“If you don’t want it, I can assign it to someone else. Charlotte won’t use it, I’m sure.”
“Yes~. The R&D Bureau has grown, so someone will probably be happy to use it~. If no one claims it~, I’ll try turning it into a flower field~. And while I’m at it~, I’d love to blanket this entire wasteland in flowers~.”
“That’s so like you.”
Come to think of it, I remember hearing early on that Lily’s ambition was to fill the world with flowers. It wouldn't be a bad thing for her to return to that original goal and devote herself to it.
Since I was here, I unleashed a grand spell toward the wasteland before heading back to Headquarters.
――Days passed in what seemed like leisure, yet were filled with quiet urgency.
The spring tournament concluded smoothly, and I considered my immediate responsibilities complete.
“Frederica, do I have any upcoming appointments that absolutely require my presence?”
“There are several requests for your participation, but none are essential. Any senior officer, including Gochou, can act as your proxy.”
“Then it’s time to move. The sea is calling me!”
By summer, the Kingdom of Brenark would launch a war to pacify and absorb the former Retnark.
Before that, we planned to approach the pirates with an offer to join Brenark’s protection.
First, we needed to assess the situation on-site—including whether negotiation was even possible.
Even if talks proceeded, I expected them to fail, leading to a forceful resolution.
Operating in foreign territory meant unforeseen complications were inevitable. It wouldn’t be easy.
Worst case, we might fail—losing our chance to secure port rights. But I was determined to succeed at all costs.
“Onee-sama, are we setting off for the sea already? I thought it would be later.”
“It’s not just about pirates. Securing the port town is urgent. And the Intelligence Bureau members already on-site must be needing reinforcements.”
“The team selection is already complete, correct? Given the advance notice, three days should be enough for preparations and handovers.”
“Then we depart in three days. Frederica, start coordinating the preparations. Valeria, inform the expedition team.”
The two nodded and immediately sprang into action. Frederica said three days would suffice—so unless something went wrong, they’d finish in two.
I was already ready, so all I had to do was wait. I’d spend the time as usual.
At last, the countdown to invasion had taken concrete shape.
Every move we made would push the count forward.
Even with time still on our side, zero would creep up before we knew it.
Unknown seas, unknown lands, unknown people—prepare yourselves.
The Kikyo Society, infamous even within the underworld’s stronghold of Exembra, was coming for you.
Was this an adequate introduction to the next chapter?
Following the grand western expedition and the minor northern one, we now embark on a major eastern expedition.
This time, we’re not just passing through—we’re laying groundwork, so it’ll feel different from previous campaigns.
I’ll take my time with this one. Please enjoy!