kscans

Chapter 242 - Episode 29: Part One, Adjusting the Goal

In the morning, Alfina and I found ourselves in bed, not a stitch of clothing between us, and we both turned bright red. But we had no time to enjoy such an embarrassing moment. The time for forgetting the information Crenne gave us was over. I renewed my promise to Alfina that we would face the calamity together, then returned to my room.

I had to formulate a concrete plan. Alfina wanted to come with me, but she needed time to get ready. I felt I had pushed her a little too hard.

...but when she whispered in my ear, "Prove to me your words are the best in two worlds," I didn't stand a chance.

◇◇

After returning to my room and wasting a massive amount of paper, I somehow managed to put together a basic policy. Feeling hungry, I left my room, only to encounter a girl with braided black hair heading in the same direction I had just come from.

"Good morning, M—"

"Coming home this late, Senpai?"

Her emotionless words cut off my greeting.

"No, I was at home... but, yes."

It wasn't a late night out, I had been in this very mansion all along, but her intensity made me flinch.

"I suppose so. Well, I have been summoned by Alfina-sama, so I will be going."

"R, right."

I stood ramrod straight and watched Mia’s back as she walked away, then headed for the dining hall.

◇◇

"Yawn."

A yawn escaped me the moment I entered the dining hall. The sleepiness that had receded a moment ago had returned.

"You look sleepy."

A voice suddenly called out from the far end of the long table. Euphillia was in the dining hall. Why? I had never once seen her here in the morning.

"My apologies, I was lost in thought. G, good morning."

I greeted the lady of the house, my superior, and... my fiancée’s guardian.

"Do not worry about it. I am well aware of how hard you are working, Ricardo, to prevent the calamity. ...You were up late working last night as well, were you not?"

A blade disguised as praise was thrust at me.

"..."

A cold sweat beaded on my temples. I forced a swallow down my parched throat.

"However. If you work hard, Ricardo, then Alphy will try to push herself just as hard. I would like you to be a bit more considerate."

And with that, she twisted the knife.

"...I, I’m sorry."

I bowed so low my head nearly hit the table.

"Let me confirm. You are truly certain about this."

Ephillia’s words reached my bowed head.

"That matter was settled months ago. Your Grace, please do not go back on your word either."

I emphasized that there was no need for confirmation. The "responsibility" that had been unfulfilled at that point had now been thoroughly carried out.

"...Very well. Leave any problems that arise on their side regarding this matter to me. It may require negotiations with the Empire in the worst case."

"Thank you very much."

We can't get married without the guardian’s permission. A commoner marrying a princess is bound to cause all sorts of issues. I was grateful that Euphillia would take care of it.

"My apologies. Your Grace, you’re still—"

Snap.

Her fan opened with a sharp sound. Oops, my tongue slipped. Proof that my sense of self-preservation hadn't recovered.

"So, what do you intend to do now?"

Ephillia asked me. A variety of emotions flickered across her face. This was unusual for her. Well, I suppose it makes sense. Unlike me, she was born shouldering a corner of the nation.

"I’m going to do the most ordinary thing possible. With everything I have."

I declared. I would face the risks I had been avoiding, devise countermeasures, and execute them. The result of my planning was something utterly plain.

I don't know if an ideal outcome lies at the end of this path. I will simply walk into whatever future we obtain, together with Alfina.

Of course, I cannot do this alone. I headed to the lab with Alfina, who brought along Luiza and Claudia, both of whom looked like they wanted to say something. Mia joined us at the entrance.

◇◇

Just like the other day, we went up to the room on the second floor. Maytyl wore her usual expression, and next to her sat a nervous Crenne. Fulsy and Noel were naturally present as well.

"First of all, Maytyl, Crenne. I want to apologize for yesterday."

I bowed my head to the two of them. My calm judgment had completely evaporated yesterday. The Empire was also busy dealing with the calamity. I could not thank Crenne, a person of influence, enough for conducting such a laborious investigation.

"Thank you very much, Your Highness Maytyl. Lady Crenne."

Alfina followed my lead.

"It’s fine. You meddled in my affairs before. Let’s just call this payback," Maytyl said to Alfina.

"What on earth is this about?" "...Yeah."

Fulsy and Noel looked puzzled by the atmosphere. Alfina and I had already decided to share the information with our comrades. I explained the potential risk to Alfina. Fulsy and Noel’s faces paled. Of course, I would tell Rilka and the others next, though finding the right words would be difficult.

Apparently, Mia heard it directly from Alfina after we passed each other this morning.

Right now, Luiza is comparing the kingdom’s investigation results she previously gathered with the documents from the Empire. Claudia is standing guard outside the door like a statue, as if to let no one pass.

"So, what’s the plan now?"

"Fundamentally, we proceed as before. Including Alfina, we will all face the great calamity with our full strength."

I said. Alfina nodded beside me. Maytyl let out a deep breath, and Crenne’s expression was one of obvious relief. I felt bad for placing such a mental burden on them.

"..." "..."

Fulsy and Noel bit their lips.

"You said ‘fundamentally,’ didn't you?"

Maytyl cast an inquisitive gaze my way. I swallowed hard.

"In reality, I want to aim for a decisive victory within the first year."

As a policy, it was exceedingly ordinary. Since Alfina would be participating in the disaster response, the only thing I could do was make the duration as short as possible.

"How will you do that, specifically? The magic laser we've been preparing is quite something. I don’t mean to be optimistic, but I believe we have a sufficient chance of winning. And even preparing for that is a race against time. To be more blunt, there's no guarantee we’ll make it."

Maytyl said. Fulsy and Noel nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I think the laser is on the right track too. That’s what I meant by proceeding as before, fundamentally."

We will shoot down the swarms of flying adult insects with mass produced lasers. We will gather information while fighting and plan our countermeasures for next year. I still don't believe that's the wrong approach.

"The problem is if there’s an oversight in our strategy. A fatal one, of course, but even a major oversight could prolong the battle for years. The most thorough preparation is the shortest path to victory."

That is what disaster preparedness should be, by its very nature.

"I understand what you are saying. But this is the first arrival of a magic period in eight hundred years and the resulting great calamity. There must be a limit to how much you can prepare for oversights."

Fulsy tilted her head. She had a point. Preparing for everything seems ideal, but it’s inefficient. Just as the evolution of life was predicated on the sacrifice of countless individuals and species, it is also true that it’s better to deal with unknown risks after they arise.

But I had one lead. If there was a major oversight, it was highly likely to be related to something I had been avoiding looking at directly.

"The Crystal of Prophecy, or I should say, the Elder Dragon’s Eye. If there is an oversight, it’s likely related to this. That’s why I want to investigate the Elder Dragon’s Eye thoroughly. I know we’re stretched thin just mass producing the lasers. But please, lend me your strength for my... no, for our sakes."

Alfina and I bowed our heads to everyone.

"I thought for sure you were going to announce you were building a sorcery weapon even better than the laser. This is a bit of a letdown. If that’s all you want, I’ll cooperate as promised. ...Though I’m still hung up on the epic tale of your love life you made me listen to."

Maytyl, who had just said it was a race against time, spoke with her usual confident expression.

"Hmm, I have seen many fascinating things thanks to you lot, but it is still not enough for me. If you seek to explore the Elder Dragon’s Eye, there is no way I would refuse."

Fulsy grinned. It sounded as if she truly meant it.

"...Um, with Crenne-san’s help, we talked about it earlier, and, um, it looks like we’ll have a little more leeway with the mass production of the sorcery staves. So, I’m free, I think. Yeah."

Noel puffed out her chest with effort. Crenne nodded along with her. However, both of their expressions were a little strained, giving a hint as to the results of their earlier discussion.

"Senpai and Alfina each have seven percent, and Her Grace the Grand Duchess has forty nine percent. That is well over half the voting rights. As a partner of Vinder, I have no choice but to cooperate."

Mia said while counting on her fingers. Even I could do that calculation in an instant.