Chapter 19 - Completion of the New Planet and the Situation of the Alephoria Duke Household Without Silk
~Peripheral Space of Betasia Star System 16th Planet II~
Sangou, while cruising the peripheral space of Betasia Star System 16th Planet II, which had been completed to its initial state and was already in a condition to be called a "planet," was conducting an analysis from every angle: "Are there any problems?"
That "Betasia Star System 16th Planet II" was, of course, created by the power of Jin and Sangou.
On the orbit of the 16th planet of the star system centered on the star Betasia, it was constructed to be the same size as the 16th planet and adjusted to the same mass, and was positioned exactly on the opposite side with the star Betasia in the middle.
By the way, the term "orbit," which may not be very familiar to the general public, is a word meaning "the path on which a planet revolves around a star."
For example, if we were to describe the "orbit" differently regarding the matter of "Betasia Star System 16th Planet II," it could also be expressed as "the orbit around the star Betasia."
That aside, now that the rough planetary shell was complete, this new planet was registered as a "new planet" of the Betasia star system, and was already registered with the Gialpha Galaxy Empire under the name "Betasia Star System 16th Planet II."
Currently, it was in the test operation phase as a food production planet, and with Jin's magic, the final adjustments for the atmospheric environment will be completed as of today.
Starting tomorrow, it was expected to begin full-scale operation as a new food production planet of the Betasia star system.
Regarding this matter, Count Betasia, using Silk and Sangou's collaborative "Estimation of How Information is Handled in the Gialpha Galaxy Empire" as a reference, had filed the paperwork, and that particular item was submitted as a "new planet."
Also, the name was deliberately given the confusing "II."
It was intentionally not called "17th Planet."
In that paperwork, the key point was that it was registered as a "new planet," and nowhere did it say "we created a planet."
Originally, if it had been acknowledged as a "newly constructed planet," it would not have been surprising if it was treated as a huge news story causing a stir throughout the entire Gialpha Galaxy Empire, but with "new planet," that didn't happen.
"What? Just registered a new planet?"
Because of this misconception, its newsworthiness was low.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason it didn't cause a commotion.
The star system named "Betasia Star System," far from the imperial capital, was "originally inconspicuous," and thanks to Orega, who disliked socializing and managed his territory in a mundane way, it was "even harder to attract attention," so it never stood out.
In an unexpected way, Orega contributed unintentionally.
Currently, over two years had already passed since Jin and Rouju's wedding ceremony.
If the matter of the "new planet" submitted by Orega had been about a year earlier, it might have attracted interest from sharp-nosed nobles due to Jin's newly established position directly under the Emperor, and it might not have been kept "inconspicuous" due to temporary attention.
But by this time, such matters had already been forgotten.
After all, even registering a new planet, the Betasia star system was so inconspicuous that it drew no attention at all.
However, since the orbit of that new planet was, of course, exactly the same as that of the 16th planet, the fact that it was submitted as "16th Planet II" was also one reason it wasn't noticed.
In reality, what did the official who processed the paperwork submitted by Orega think?
"Was there a system like this? And a 'new planet'? Probably they just changed the classification of some vaguely large object that was originally an 'asteroid' to a planet, right?"
The official, a bureaucratic troublemaker-avoider, thought no more than that.
Leaving aside that official's story, at any rate, thanks to the work of the Hero Jin and Sangou, Betasia Star System 16th Planet II was completed.
With this, Jin and his party were about to face a new situation.
Now, that aside, let's return the timeline to the past.
The story jumps to a different scene.
Because not everything in the entire Gialpha Galaxy advances solely through Jin and his party's actions.
After Silk left the imperial capital, the capital planet, what was the movement of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire as a whole?
Let's clarify the flow about that part from here as well.
In the imperial capital, Laura was furious at her son, the Crown Prince.
This was because the Crown Prince, without consulting anyone, had publicly announced the 'break of engagement' to Silk, whom Laura had painstakingly raised and educated, and moreover did so while Laura was away.
Having clearly stated it in a public setting with many nobles present, it could not be easily retracted.
And if it could not be retracted, it was also self-evident that the responsibility for that statement would weigh heavily on the Crown Prince himself.
The Crown Prince was summoned by the Emperor and Laura, his biological father and mother.
Thus, it developed into a situation where a 'statement of the Crown Prince's defense'—a chance to make excuses—was set up, in what was essentially a 'hearing.'
However, the Crown Prince himself, even in that irreplaceably precious opportunity that could be called his 'last chance,' uttered ignorant words.
"Silk's uncle became the new Alephoria Duke. In other words, the daughter of that Alephoria Duke is a duke's daughter, and there is no difference in taking a duke's daughter as one's consort. As for the duke's house that will become the object of receiving as a consort, it is the same Alephoria Duke household. What's wrong with this?"
The Crown Prince never realized the last chance given to him.
Without showing any sign of reflection, through the foolish act of 'merely insisting stubbornly,' he once again proved his own stupidity.
From anyone else's perspective, the Crown Prince's statement was only adding insult to injury.
For the Emperor, who had a fair amount of parental affection for his child, this was a test to see 'whether the Crown Prince would show signs of remorse and a willingness to discuss remedial measures.'
But with this stubborn assertion, he had no choice but to give up on everything.
Moreover, it goes without saying that Laura, who had already been furious, was now 'adding fuel to the fire.'
"Regrettable. You understand nothing of what is important. Enough. As of this very moment, I recognize as 'valid,' under the authority of the Emperor of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, the marriage between you and that newly titled duke's daughter."
The Emperor, not hiding his sorrowful expression, pitied the Crown Prince, who showed joy at his biological father's words.
And he thought as he witnessed the Crown Prince, who did not realize the meaning of being made 'valid as of this very moment.'
The Emperor had not merely given permission for the marriage, making them formally engaged.
He had made it so that 'the marriage was already established' at this point.
This carried a very heavy implication.
"(Considering the future of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, while it is regrettable for Lady Silk, who bears no fault, that the limits of that fool's ability have been exposed at this stage, it may be a blessing in disguise.)"
At this point, the Emperor could no longer turn back.
And so.
The supreme power of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire spoke words that would throw the Crown Prince, who likely did not accurately grasp the situation, into the depths.
"I 'decree' the disinheritance of the current Crown Prince. And for you, who will become the 'Former Crown Prince,' I will make you an adopted son-in-law through the marriage already made valid, and recognize you as first in the succession order of the Alephoria Duke household. Furthermore, regarding inheritan—"
"Disinherited? Wait. What are you saying, Father?"
"How dare you interrupt His Majesty! Be silent until the end!"
When the Crown Prince interrupted mid-sentence with a 'question,' the Prime Minister shouted down that very act.
"Your arguments are now entirely 'worthless.'"
"Wait! Why?!"
The former Crown Prince, who shouted, was restrained by the surrounding people.
Because there were people who, upon receiving the signals from Laura and the Prime Minister's respective glances, moved to act on that intent.
The former Crown Prince looked ready to grab the Emperor.
If the former Crown Prince showed such movement, it was only natural.
Also, the Emperor, having already judged him 'worthless,' did not respond to the words of the man who had once been his son.
"Then, I continue the notification of the decisions. Due to the absence of other eligible successors, I appoint you as the next head of the Alephoria household. For the current Alephoria Duke, Silk's uncle, I recognize two crimes: 'incitement to murder of the former Alephoria Duke couple' and 'fabrication of evidence regarding the then close associates of Lady Silk' in connection with a case that has already resulted in executions under false charges. However, through a plea bargain, I commute the death penalty to immediate retirement as head of the house and lifelong confinement. This confinement includes all of his wives and biological children. With this decision, the current Alephoria Duke's immediate retirement, I recognize the next head as the Alephoria Duke. And to the new Alephoria Duke, I order the organization of the Alephoria Duke territory's military and frontline command for the purpose of avenging the former Duke couple. All of the above is effective as of this moment as an 'Imperial ruling.'"
Among these decisions of the Emperor, the reason the plea bargain with Silk's uncle was made naturally has a proper justification.
During the interrogation on suspicion of the two crimes, the individual himself provided 'information capable of catching all the agents of the Free Democratic Alliance spreading throughout the Empire' as a price for leniency.
Silk's uncle offered information that made possible what would have been absolutely impossible through normal investigations.
Based on that fact, he was spared the death penalty.
Leaving aside such matters of the plea bargain, the former Crown Prince, shocked by the decision of his father, the Emperor, which he had never imagined, fainted while being restrained by others, speechless.
And then, under the orders of the Prime Minister, he was quietly carried out of His Majesty the Emperor's presence, but.
"Good for him. That person got to marry the girl he likes. His younger brother, who is excellent and nothing like him, will surely serve admirably as the next emperor. But what should we do about it? Having his current fiancée become the Crown Princess and future Empress is a problem. Really, what should we do?"
Laura, still wearing an angry look, spoke in a cold voice, words that seemed directed at no one in particular.
The Emperor, standing right next to the Empress, heard it clearly.
"(Even though he is her own child, the former Crown Prince has already been cut off from her recognition as her son, and he is treated as 'that person' rather than 'son'.)"
Putting aside his own ruling, the Emperor silently murmured, feeling lonely about the situation.
Still, having heard that, he could not feign ignorance.
Because the Emperor needed Laura's presence in many ways.
"Indeed. We must consider that problem. But I am tired today. Regarding the new Crown Princess, we will decide after having proposals brought in from tomorrow onward and examining them."
With this flow, the matters related to Silk in the imperial capital were brought to a tentative conclusion.
By the way, after this conclusion, Laura frequently sent communications to Jin via Rouju.
"Give Silk back!"
She sent private letters addressed to Jin over and over again at every opportunity, but let's set that aside for another story.
Now, let's return the scene to the Betasia star system and back to Jin and his group's story.
Over two years had passed since Jin and Rouju's wedding ceremony, and during that time Rouju had given birth to a firstborn son, and now she was even in her second pregnancy.
During her first pregnancy, Rouju skillfully manipulated the spineless Hero Jin in the palm of her hand.
What is this about?
Rouju simply whispered to Jin, 'Since I can't fulfill my marital duties, it's fine if there are other wives who can handle things.'
Elf women are said to have a lower pregnancy rate, but could the Hero's destiny force have been at work here?
In the end, Rinju and Ranju, who had also been touched by Jin, became pregnant one after another, leading to Rinju giving birth to a boy and Ranju to a girl.
By the way, it was already decided that Rinju's son would immediately become an adopted child of the Betasia Count household, but such a thing may be trivial.
The work that could be called 'a major undertaking of the Betasia Count household'—the 'creation of a new planet'—carried out through the collaboration of Jin and Sangou's power, took a bit longer than initially planned but was completed safely, and by this point it was already operating as a food production planet.
Incidentally, the reason it exceeded the planned period was not due to any defect in Sangou's calculation of the work schedule.
It was simply because Jin took a few selfish holidays, and the corresponding delays directly led to the schedule slipping.
A wife's pregnancy and childbirth are also a big deal for the husband, so it can't be helped.
However, even if the husband is by his wife's side, he is utterly useless.
That aside.
Until the newly created planet became operational, Silk had admirably fulfilled her duties as Sangou's operator.
Now, Silk was receiving repeated inquiries from the capital planet about 'reinstatement of her status.'
Why?
Because the head of the Alephoria Duke household, who had been on the front line of the war against the Alliance, had finally died in battle.
After receiving the news of 'head of Alephoria Duke household killed in action,' Silk was repeatedly approached about reinstatement in order to prevent the Alephoria Duke household from dying out.
If Silk's status were restored, a marriage partner could be made an adopted son-in-law to become the new head of the Alephoria Duke household.
This, ignoring Silk's personal feelings, was the easiest and most effective way to prevent the Alephoria Duke household from dying out.
However, at this stage, Silk had already obtained personal wealth that would ensure she never had to worry about food for life, and a huge fortune, and if her status were reinstated, 'becoming Jin's wife would become impossible.'
Therefore, Silk declined all the requests arriving from the imperial capital.
"(It was the Gialpha Galaxy Empire that stripped me of my status and recognized that, wasn't it? What's this now? I already recognize that 'those things are lost and will never return.' It's too late!)"
Regarding the repeated inquiries for reinstatement, Silk herself did not directly throw such feelings at those who came to her.
She was a woman who would have become the future Empress had nothing happened, so she had that much discretion.
That aside, Silk currently maintained good relations with Rouju, Rinju, and Ranju.
She had, in effect, been recognized and accepted as essentially the fourth wife from a while ago.
Silk had no status as an imperial noble.
This was because her uncle had carried out the procedure to strip her of her status, and as a result, on paper she was treated as a 'nameless orphan.'
And because she continued to decline reinstatement, there was no change in the paperwork, and it remained as is.
Therefore, since Silk is currently treated as a non-noble, in order to marry Jin, a Viscount Asada, the marriage permission application could only be done under the 'concubine' status.
However, in the noble system of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, the 'concubine treatment' had an advantage.
That was the point that 'the marriage permission application becomes a simplified application that can be processed via communication, and no travel to the imperial capital for procedures is necessary at all.'
Furthermore, after permission is granted, the marriage application itself, regardless of whether the original status was from a noble house or not, can be submitted via communication in both cases.
Thanks to Rouju's arrangement, utilizing the advantage of 'application as a concubine,' all of Silk's marriage procedures were conducted via communication.
And permission was obtained smoothly, and the marriage application with Viscount Asada Jin was also completed.
In this way, Silk's marriage application was accepted in the imperial capital, and she officially obtained the position of 'Jin's fourth wife.'
Now, regarding this flow of Silk's application, permission, and acceptance, did Laura do nothing?
The answer is 'no.'
Laura had not given up on 'Silk's reinstatement as the Alephoria Duke's daughter and her subsequent marriage to a prince.'
Thus, she had properly put pressure on relevant parties in advance and interfered to prevent Silk from marrying anyone.
However, this ended in failure.
The reason for the failure lay in 'Silk's treatment on paper' and 'the fact that the name "Silk" was a common name among the commoner class.'
These two factors created conditions that made it easy for oversights to occur during document review.
And indeed, the official in charge of permission did not realize at the stage of confirming the application data that it was 'the former Alephoria Duke's daughter Silk,' and overlooked it.
Due to this oversight, despite Laura having moved to ensure it would not be accepted, the marriage application with Jin was accepted.
Laura, upon learning the fact that Silk had already become Jin's concubine-wife through this chain of events.
The woman holding the title of 'Empress' of the vast galaxy empire had mixed feelings of 'gratitude for the treatment she herself received' and 'the feeling that Silk was stolen from her,' leading to a complex state of mind.
That Jin had, completely unbeknownst to him, acquired a flag for unreasonable demands from Laura might be a bit problematic to dismiss as a 'trivial matter.'
"Captain. A recorded video from Lady Laura has arrived via Rouju-san."
A communication line that allows real-time direct conversation with Laura, who is in the imperial capital, cannot be opened due to distance issues.
Thus, information exchange is done in a manner similar to what Japanese people would call 'video mail' in this case.
"Again? How many times do I have to say 'Silk is mine now' for her to get it? I kinda don't feel like watching it, so can you just give me a summary?"
Silk, who was at the communications operator seat in the bridge, giggled upon hearing Jin's words.
"Yes. The main points are these two: first, 'Come pick me up as I am going to the Betasia star system under the pretext of inspecting the new planet,' and second, 'I won't say "give Silk back" anymore, so let me see Silk.' From my guess, she doesn't seem to think Silk is on board the Sangou. The way she talks gives the impression that 'if she doesn't come to the Betasia star system herself, she can't meet Silk.' Also, it seems that His Majesty the Emperor will issue an order to have Lady Laura's escort handled as an imperial guard sortie mission."
"Sigh. Fine. What about Silk? Want to go to the capital together? Or should I go pick her up alone, and you wait at home for my return? I think waiting leisurely at home once in a while isn't bad."
"That would be fine, but I think Lady Laura probably has a lot to talk about with me. So I believe it would be more efficient to talk during the journey. If she arrives here and we have separate talks after she stays at the Count's residence or the Viscount Asada residence, the total number of days for the inspection schedule would increase, you see? And also, um, well. If we go together, I can monopolize Jin for at least about four days of the outbound voyage, right? I also want a child soon."
Silk had grown into an operator who could instantly calculate in her mind the shortest travel time, having also completed experiments to endure the Sangou's full-speed navigation.
The woman who became Jin's fourth wife said that with her cheeks slightly flushed and fidgeting.
But in reality, such acts are impossible during the Sangou's full-speed navigation.
At this time, that point had completely slipped Silk's mind.
Of course, the spineless Hero Jin was the same.
Incidentally, Sangou had noticed that part, but thought 'it's probably better not to say it now,' and remained silent—a trivial matter.
"Alright! Got it! To the capital together! Sangou. For now, Jin and I are going to rest for about three hours starting now."
Receiving Jin's statement, Sangou planned to create a reply video after the rest, and replied with understanding.
With all this and that, the Emperor's order arrived, and Jin and Silk, along with Sangou, headed for the capital planet of the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, the imperial capital.
Nothing happened during the journey, and they safely completed the four-day full-speed navigation voyage without any problems as per schedule, and Sangou arrived at the imperial capital, at the space zone in orbit of the capital planet.
Only peace continued during such a journey, and nothing happened.
Nothing, at all.
Before departure, Jin was full of enthusiasm and Silk was full of anticipation.
Even if, when they began preparations for full-speed navigation, they realized that they could only do things like talk during the voyage and were disappointed.
Even if the things they intended to do couldn't be done at all.
It was absolutely, completely, all, entirely no problem at all.
Now, the next thing Jin and his party needed was likely descent into the atmosphere of the capital planet.
Regarding this, since there was a precedent, they arrived using a twenty-meter-class sub-ship near the rear palace.
With prior coordination, Empress Laura's accompanying personnel were kept to a minimum.
The detailed breakdown of accompanying personnel: two maids, two female knight guards, and one female inspection recorder.
Adding Laura herself, a total of six people made up the full complement of those going on the inspection.
Jin, who had come to the imperial capital for the first time in a while, had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the court.
On that occasion, Jin was personally ordered by His Majesty the Emperor to handle Laura's inspection and all its itineraries flexibly.
And he was also informed that there was a separate secret mission.
However, that was simply given in the form of a recorded video.
After the short audience ended, preparations for departure began immediately, and the luggage of Lady Laura's party was loaded into the twenty-meter-class sub-ship.
"(As expected of an Empress, she has a lot of luggage.)"
The loading work itself was done by sub-ships that came swarming out, but Jin watching felt a fairly trivial impression.
By the way, at this time, only Jin entered the imperial capital; Silk was waiting in the Sangou in space.
This was a precautionary measure to avoid potential trouble where Silk's whereabouts might be physically pinned down if they entered the imperial capital together.
Well, originally, Jin was taking great care to ensure that Silk's very presence on board the Sangou was not communicated to the imperial capital, while being wary of such incidents.
The luggage loading finished without issue, and Laura and the five others, a total of six, also finished boarding the twenty-meter-class sub-ship.
At last, it was time to depart.
The Sangou's specially made twenty-meter-class sub-ship rose silently from the rear palace courtyard and ascended.
Constructed through technology derived from super-science, it did not require high speed just to escape the capital planet's gravity.
Its escape from the atmosphere, which put no unnecessary strain on the human passengers, made everyone except Jin's eyes go wide.
But for Sangou, who was controlling it from space, such things were trivial.
With that flow, the Sangou, which had been waiting in the space zone in orbit of the Gialpha Star System Fourth Planet, completed the storage of the sub-ship that had served as a shuttle.
From there, after going through the customary sub-ship washing, sterilization, quarantine, and luggage check time, the six passengers were guided to a guest room built as a completely independent compartment via the sub-ship.
Additionally, since 'the fact that Lady Laura's guards have no weapons at all is a problem,' Sangou prepared in advance items that imitated swords, and short swords and long swords were lent to the two female knights.
Of course, the weapons they had brought were immediately taken into Sangou's custody for storage.
And that the two female knights took a liking to the swords prepared by Sangou and persistently pressed to 'let us buy them!' is a different story that has no relation or influence on the main plot.
But Jin and Sangou would absolutely never sell them!
Returning to the bridge, Jin called out to Silk before sending her off to Laura.
"Go greet Lady Laura, and take your time talking with her while you're at it."
Jin's action was not without consideration for Laura and Silk.
However, he also had a different purpose.
That was to confirm the recorded video of the secret mission entrusted by His Majesty the Emperor, alone with Sangou.
What was that secret mission?
The content of that recorded video began with a rough explanation of the war situation between the Empire and the Alliance.
"I want you to come up with some operational plan that can break the current stalemate. And to break the situation, I want to deploy Jin and Sangou as forces soon."
His Majesty the Emperor's secret mission concluded thus.
However, regarding the deployment of Jin and his party, it was currently not an order, but at the stage of 'just think about it.'
Incidentally, it was Laura who proposed to the Emperor to bring this matter to Jin.
To put it bluntly, it was nothing more than an unreasonable request.
But the reason it passed as an imperial order was because the Imperial military generals, when asked for their opinion on the matter, had a feeling that 'the special treatment given to Jin is uninteresting.'
Therefore, the Imperial military generals took the position of 'asking Jin for an operational plan and seeing what he can do,' and 'expressed their agreement with Lady Laura's proposal as their reply to His Majesty the Emperor.'
"Hey, Sangou. This war situation. How do you see it?"
"Yes. I believe if the Captain charges alone and subjugates all the Alliance's star systems, it will end there."
"Wait. That's wrong! I'm not asking for such a joke!"
Sangou's clear answer was, unfortunately, easily rejected.
That left Sangou with no choice but to confirm the details of the preconditions before stating its view.
"It is not a 'joke,' you know. From the perspective of 'normal warfare,' the ultimate objective is either 'surrender,' 'annihilation,' or 'subjugation' of the Alliance. Is it acceptable if I 'state an opinion on that'?"
"Yeah. Jokes aside, go ahead with that."
Thus, Sangou's perspective on tactics and strategy was spoken, and the private discussion with Jin continued without reaching a conclusion.
This was the event on the bridge after sending Silk off.
Now, what about Laura and Silk's side?
Laura was startled and froze for a moment when Silk appeared to greet her.
"It's late, but... sorry my stupid son messed up."
The two's conversation began with Laura's apology.
Under the guise of 'Crown Princess education,' Laura had interacted with Silk for a long time.
No, she had a history.
Therefore, for Laura, more than her own biological daughter the princess, Silk felt more like a 'real daughter' in a sense.
In short, Laura had a strong sense of loneliness from not being able to meet Silk for a long time.
"As a result, I am happy now."
Silk received the apology with a short reply.
It could also be said that 'that was the only thing she could say.'
And Silk, too, felt that Laura was like a 'second mother' in a way, so she bowed her head, saying 'I'm sorry I couldn't even invite you to my wedding ceremony.'
From there, as if a dam had broken, for the seven days until they arrived at the Betasia star system, the two, who were a psychological mother-daughter pair without blood relation, had lively conversations about various topics, as if to fill the emotional void during the period they couldn't meet.
Sangou safely completed the seven-day voyage and arrived at the Betasia star system.
At the Betasia Count's residence, a modest welcome party for Laura was held.
Regarding the scale, it was based on Laura's wishes, but the behind-the-scenes story was that 'Laura knew Orega's actual situation, so she didn't push him.'
And after the inspection ended without incident, a farewell party was also held before their return to the imperial capital, and Laura began her return journey aboard the Sangou.
By the way, it is a trivial matter that during Laura's inspection, Jin accidentally let slip that 'Sangou and I made it.'
Even if there was a scene where Laura pressed Jin, saying "'Created a planet'? What do you mean by that?", that was a trivial matter.
Alongside such improvement in the relationship between Laura and Silk, events unrelated to the Emperor's secret mission given to Jin were also occurring in parallel within the Gialpha Galaxy Empire.
"The asteroid belt is gone... damn it! With the asteroid belt gone, bandit activity in the Betasia star system has drastically decreased. What kind of means did they use to remove all the asteroid belts at the outermost part of that system? How infuriating!"
Thus, the Hero Jin and Sangou succeeded in creating an unparalleled enormous achievement as subordinates of Count Betasia Orega in the Betasia star system: 'creating a new planet.'
As a byproduct, Silk's position was strengthened, and combined with the usefulness of the 'educational program' she created, a situation arose where Silk was accepted as Jin's fourth wife by the three elf sisters.
Including that, the spineless Hero was skillfully guided by his lawful wife, and even ended up having children with the three women other than Silk.
Separately, while being vexed by Laura and the Emperor's unreasonable demands, the relationship between Silk and Laura improved.
Meanwhile, someone made a disturbing remark unknown to Jin, but how will that relate to the future?
No one knows the future.
During the return voyage to deliver Laura to the imperial capital, ignoring the bonding of the two women as they lamented their parting, the Hero continued a grim discussion of strategy and tactics with Sangou.
While rereading the text of the operation plan that resulted from the private discussion with Sangou, Jin wondered, 'Is this really okay?' and couldn't help muttering, yet he reflected on the expected participation in the war in the future.