For a while, Rion stared silently out the window before taking a deep breath and turning her head toward me. Then, with a thud, she blurted out an unexpected question.
“Has anyone around you warned you to be careful, saying something suspicious is going on over here…?”
“Huh? No?”
I casually lied in response to Rion’s question. Answering too quickly or taking too long would only amplify her suspicions, after all.
Despite my usual distaste for lying, how could I say, “Yeah, you’re right. Himari said that!” in this situation?
However, despite my excellent response, I couldn’t hide the feeling of impending doom inside me. The fact that Rion had asked such a question meant she already had a near certainty… or evidence.
The most likely source would probably be Neru’s presence. Given that the entire city was at Rion’s mercy in Eridu, the chance that she successfully followed me without being detected…
Well, no matter how favorable the odds looked, I didn’t think that was likely.
…Anyway, now that it was clear Eridu was the destination, that part was no longer Neru’s responsibility.
If Rion was indeed plotting something, I had to admit that her choice to use Eridu as her background was quite sound.
Once the enemy steps into your home ground, the odds of victory exponentially rise.
Historically, there have been countless individuals who defeated and subdued their enemies by fully exploiting the advantages of their home ground.
Without even having to go into world history, wasn’t it true for the many instances throughout Korean history when the weak had a better shot at victory?
I had chosen Neru as my crack to break this advantage, but watching Rion’s calm demeanor honestly made me a bit scared.
A trump card should be inserted when the opponent is unaware; if you throw it in knowing they are aware…
Well, generally, against someone like Neru, it usually works. Yet this time, I just had a bad feeling.
“Is that so.”
Seeing Rion nonchalantly nod as she replied left me feeling uncertain. Did she realize? Or did she not?
If we assume she did, then overpowering Rion right here and now might be the simplest solution. Rion… is someone I could easily subdue with a twist of her arm.
Did she catch on to my thoughts?
“Mika, before I explain why I called you to this city… I think some explanation is necessary. This city is built in a border area adjacent to the ruins. Part of it even overlaps with the ruins.”
“…”
Rion immediately dove into serious talk. She was within arm’s reach of being subdued, yet she looked down at me with her calm face and posture.
“Why this location? There are two reasons why we built a city amid the ruins.”
Rion turned on the screen of the tablet in her hand to show me. On it was…
“Nameless Guardians…?”
“Firstly, a barrier is necessary to protect Millennium from those things—a breakwater to guard against the approaching tide.”
The Nameless Guardians, numbering easily above fifty, were engaging in combat with Rion’s avant-garde-design AMAS, playing out like a scene from a movie.
…What an entertaining sight; it felt like watching a mechanical war. I liked it.
Due to one side looking somewhat alien, it even gave off the impression of combating extraterrestrial creatures, quite…
“Secondly, it’s to serve as an Ark that can suddenly shelter the Millennium students… Of course, preparing enough food and a self-sustaining system will require astronomical costs and quite some time.”
Rion, while saying this, gazed into my eyes and let out a line that made me laugh involuntarily.
“Thanks to the substantial sum you and Blooming Buds brought in, it seems feasible to complete before my term as president ends.”
“Wow, isn’t it a bit too casual to talk about embezzlement like that?”
“I’d be surprised if you didn’t feel that way… but I hope you don’t see me as someone like Koyuki. I didn’t pull the academy’s money for personal reasons.”
I understood that Rion’s statement wasn’t entirely incorrect. It’s considered embezzlement with a reason, right?
Still, the fact here remains she surreptitiously funneled the academy’s money…
“Mika, what do you think the odds are that I would face opposition if I officially tried building this Eridu?”
“Umm… I dunno, fifty-fifty?”
Even as I said that, I more or less knew what Rion’s answer would be. Naturally…
“No, that chance is zero.”
Yeah, I expected that answer.
Rion didn’t show any particular confidence or smile; she just wore a typical, emotionless expression.
“I’ve always handled academy matters based on rational judgment. If it’s something I’m doing, then the general opinion would likely lean towards waiting to see what I’ve done up to now.”
“But that doesn’t seem all that rational, right? Sure, if we dig into the rationality sought by Millennium, the previous actions and the current project are separate. It would be more rational to oppose Rion-chan if she were to do something suspicious. Right?”
“Why would someone able to think so rationally… wait, is this really important?”
…Isn’t this a bit too much? Why suddenly hitting me with such hard truths?
“Ahem. Humans aren’t always rational beings, Mika.”
Rion cleared her throat and provided an explanation. I nodded because I knew what she said was true.
“The only reason this place in Eridu is kept secret is that I judged it would be better that way. As for why I called you here… It’s primarily because you were the first person I thought of to share this view.”
Suddenly, Rion closed her eyes tight, as if feeling slightly overwhelmed before continuing slowly.
“The avant-garde… The effort I’ve put into designing this city isn’t small. I could say I poured all my warmth into it. I wanted to hear your genuine thoughts more than some sugar-coated compliments I might enjoy.”
“…Can I honestly say what’s on my mind?”
“Yes.”
“In terms of the overall shape of the city, I think it’s quite sophisticated. It’s so beautiful and stylish that I can hardly believe Rion designed it.”
“…What exactly did you think of me up until now? —Forget it. Don’t need to say it.”
Seeing Rion freeze in place after I gave a genuine response, I couldn’t help but smile a little.
Did she suddenly feel flustered? Seeing Rion trying to step back from questioning me, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I won’t make jokes. Since we’re friends, I trust you’ll overlook this level of banter☆.”
“Friends… right, I suppose that’s how it was.”
A bittersweet feeling was tinged in Rion’s tone. Hearing that made me wonder perhaps…
Based on what Toki said and Rion’s attitude now, she truly…
“Mika, let’s move on to the important matter. I’m going to present you with options. While I have an idea of what you might choose without needing to hear a response…”
“Options?”
“Mika, we stand as individuals responsible for different academies. You represent Trinity, while I represent Millennium.”
Listening closely to Rion’s words as they shifted toward serious matters.
“But it doesn’t end there; we agreed to combine our strengths for the same goal. Preventing the total destruction of Kivotos. That’s our common concern and an issue we must solve.”
“…So, in the end, this is about Aris, isn’t it?”
Rion met my gaze with eyes that were difficult to read and nodded after a moment.
“Her existence alone poses a threat to Millennium. As a being leading the army of Nameless Priests, Aris may not seem like much of a threat based on what she’s shown so far, but separate from that, she’s already playing the role of a vanguard.”
“The Nameless Guardians you showed me a moment ago…”
“Quick to understand. Exactly. Just by residing in Millennium, Aris is attracting those things from the ruins. For now, Eridu is fulfilling its role as a breakwater against that…”
Rather than simply being quick to understand, I knew this already, yet I let Rion’s misunderstanding slide.
“Just the detection of such activities indicates that Aris-chan could awaken as the princess of nameless gods at any time. So she’s a risk that threatens all of Kivotos. That’s what you want to convey, right?”
“Exactly. Mika, sometimes you show such outlandish behavior that it’s hard to believe…”
What? What are you even saying, Rion?
“…At times, you demonstrate why you can represent Trinity, which should typically be led by three. And thus, movements to nominate you as student council president have emerged.”
“…Just to clarify, I don’t plan on becoming the student council president, okay?”
“I knew without needing you to tell me.”
Nodding at Rion’s precise answer, I revisited the topic of Aris once more.
“I thought Aris-chan and Rion-chan had gotten pretty close. Your intention to destroy Aris still stands, huh?”
“…Yeah.”
This time, I could be certain. Rion, right now, felt apologetic toward me. It was an expression that suggested she couldn’t face me.
However, the feeling of apology she held and her rapport with Aris wouldn’t pause Rion’s actions. That was the way Tsukatsuki Rion operated.
“Mika, I’m going to… grant Aris peace with my own hands. But before that, I’ll ask you. Just so you know, I’m not hoping for your cooperation, so you can feel easy about it.”
Was she already imagining the coming catastrophe? I caught a glimpse of a sense of disappointment in Rion’s eyes mixed with a hint of moisture.
“Can you promise me that you won’t interfere with me killing Aris?”
“Rion-chan… you already know what my answer will be.”
“…Yeah, but we both know this is a mere formality. I just hoped… you’d understand me.”
“…Understand?”
I blinked in response, but Rion didn’t answer. Instead, she turned away from me.
“Toki. As of this moment…”
She couldn’t hide her sharpened resolve as she drew forth a blade of thought.
“I’m permitting the use of Aabi Eshuh.”
Whoosh———
Boom!!!
A tremendous noise rang out. Then, just as I was about to step toward Rion.
Swish——
An opaque partition descended from the ceiling, separating us.
[I’m not seeking forgiveness…]
[I’m not going to indulge in stupid emotional baggage that only hinders my rational judgment…].
[So Misono Mika. For the greater good, you’ll need to fall flat here.]
With a voice brimming with emotion, Rion declared that our pavané had begun.
