Special Meeting

Do you remember Sevirpol? It’s the place where I went for my first external training, encountered a monster I didn’t know existed, and decisively buried Wolf.

In fact, it’s a region famous for agriculture. The land is fertile, and crops grow better there than in any other part of the world.

Why am I suddenly bringing this up?

“It’s been a while!”

“Have you been well, Director?”

Because finally, the seeds carefully sown in that fertile soil have sprouted, grown deliciously, and the time has come to harvest them.

Clank!

“I hope you liked the gift.”

I greeted the smooth bald head with a handshake, feeling glad to see him. I can assert that he’s the man with the highest value among the network seeds I’ve sown.

“Hahaha! I knew it would be you.”

Squeeze─

Serty gripped my hand firmly with his characteristic boisterous voice.

From his shiny bald head reflecting the fluorescent light to his round glasses that would be hard to find on others, he looked exactly the same as when I saw him at the research institute.

I’m just grateful that he came to visit like this.

It was literally a surprise visit. Who would have known that Serty would personally come to the military academy? I could easily imagine the sight of the instructors fuming.

“Let’s sit down first and continue our conversation.”

Although I had arranged the meeting by asking Ernst and prepared a gift with the prize money I received before, it was an action I took hoping for just a phone call at best, but to receive such a response…

“Alright.”

Clank, creak!

I feel dazed. I sat down on the chair provided in the reception room and tried to calm my racing heart.

“If you had told me, I would have come to see you.”

“No, no, it’s fine.”

He seems to be giving strength to me, who looks to be in trouble to anyone watching. This is why I couldn’t hate Serty, even though he’s a man from the Federation that will someday become an enemy country.

“How could I sit still when you need my help? I have to keep the promise I made before.”

“I’ll provide full support as far as my hand can reach.”

He raised his eyebrows up and down as if to say that his past statement wasn’t just a courteous remark.

“By the way, Yena… How did you know to send the vodka I like? I was really surprised when I received the item from Party Leader Ernst.”

Thump!

Then he took out a white bottle of alcohol from somewhere and placed it on the table, leaning his face close.

[Scandinava Tovarich Vodka]

From the crystal material bottle design comparable to the clarity of spring water to the luxurious finish with red engravings suitable for Federation-made vodka.

This vodka, which is in a different league from ordinary alcohol in terms of price, was a product from the brand Serty loves the most.

“It wouldn’t be polite to meet the Director empty-handed. I remembered the label of the vodka you were enjoying when you called me to your office in the past.”

“You remembered that until now? It must have been only two, no, at most three meetings, right?”

“I believe that having a mindset to carefully observe even the smallest things is a true virtue of a cadet.”

I curved my eyes towards Serty, who was fondly caressing the cap of the vodka bottle. It was worth the effort of digging through my memories to recall the brand he preferred.

“Well, I didn’t expect to receive such a thoughtful gift from a Bern student. I’ll enjoy drinking it.”

He must have really liked it, as Serty smacked his lips for a moment and then put the bottle back under the table.

“If you thought you could move my heart with this vodka… you’re correct. It piqued my interest.”

“You’re too kind, haha.”

“It seems that Ernst fellow was right to follow you… What kind of ability do you have to move such a big shot as the Conservative Party representative?”

As it was a reunion after a long time, we started with ordinary conversation asking about each other’s well-being.

“Party Leader Ernst following me? That’s absurd. He just listened to my opinion, which is nothing more than that of a cadet.”

“Huh, it’s funny to hear you say that when you prepared even a letter so thoroughly.”

However, it didn’t take long to get to the main point.

“Anyway, I had a good talk with Ernst. I carefully read the letter you wrote by hand.”

Because what we wanted from each other was already clear.

“What is it that you want, Yena Freud?”

Splash.

“Surely, someone like you must have people around who can help. There must be a purpose for contacting a research institute director stuck in the frontier.”

It’s as the Director predicted. Calling a scientist obsessed with monster research for ordinary business would be quite burdensome, so I wouldn’t have arranged this meeting unless I desperately needed his help in a specific area.

“I’ll speak frankly. I would like you to provide Bern’s military data that the Federation has collected and shared.”

“…Isn’t that too much to ask?”

“Ah, I seem to have left room for misunderstanding. I’m not asking for confidential information, but for data that is generally accessible. The level that graduating students at our school can look up would be sufficient.”

“What’s the purpose for this?”

“It’s for writing a report, a report to be submitted to an academic conference.”

It was none other than for submitting a research project. Aiming for perfection, the cooperation of Director Serty was absolutely required to achieve this.

To escape the influence of other instructors’ implicit obstructive actions, that is.

In the current situation, I could easily complete the report, but as someone who always pursues perfection, I couldn’t allow such a lazy perception to take root in my mind.

To produce an outstanding result and make a name for myself, impressing not only the key figures in the school but also promising officers throughout the empire.

Clatter, click!

I brought the teacup on the table to my lips, matching Serty’s silence. Perhaps considering that I was a student, the secretary had put in a couple of sugar cubes, as a sweetness that didn’t match the coffee beans spread across my tongue.

It can’t be helped.

Even if it’s burdensome, this is a deal that must be made.

I expected that the Director wouldn’t easily speak up after hearing my answer. Even if it’s literature that doesn’t require permission, it’s still classified for military purposes. It’s inevitable that there would be some burden.

Moreover, it was clear that there would be a bitter aftertaste as it was essentially an act of disregarding the Bern instructors who oversee the Astrakhan Military Academy students.

“Yena, I’m sorry, but this matter…”

That’s why.

Normally, this would be more than enough reason to refuse. They wouldn’t take on the risk for a first-year, a candidate who hasn’t even been confirmed for commissioning, while the Empire and the Federation are treading a soft line cooperating with each other.

“I will actively cooperate with all research that the Director needs assistance with in the future. Even if the subject is related to monsters.”

This was exactly why I specifically chose the Research Director.

For this man who lives and dies by monsters, who would even shorten his own lifespan if he could create a masterpiece like an armored monster,

“……”

Could he really flatly refuse while holding onto the experience of having such great fun in Sevirpol?

“You’ll have to come twice a month without fail.”

“Of course.”

“The responsibilities you’ll have to take on might be quite heavy.”

“I will carry out any difficult task with a heavy sense of responsibility.”

Thankfully, he was indeed a man who prioritized research results, regardless of minor conflicts with the Empire’s instructors.

“…I’ll specially extend a hand to you, believing in you, Yena.”

“Thank you!”

“However, as you mentioned, I can’t hand over specially treated data. I’ll assist only to the extent that Astrakhan students are allowed to access, within the bounds that won’t cause diplomatic issues.”

Even if it might cause moral issues.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Clunk!

Fortunately, Serty didn’t break off the deal. I swallowed my words and lifted my bottom off the chair, following him as he stood up. I bowed my head and offered a handshake with my small hands, observing formalities.

“Send the mail at an appropriate time. I’ll send someone.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

“Yes, take care of yourself too. Seeing you plead for such a burdensome promise, unlike your usual self, it seems you’re not in a very peaceful state, haha!”

As expected, this old man is quite perceptive.

It seemed he had roughly guessed my current situation just from our brief conversation, showing that he didn’t hold the position of Research Director by chance. He must have also been aware of the incidents in Bern, even if only through newspapers.

“I’ll contact you soon.”

“Mm. See you in Sevirpol.”

I bowed deeply, my stomach almost touching my thighs, towards the Research Director who was waving his hand while turning away outside the door.

I hope this will be of help.