episode_0332

The volume of security spell formula documents to be signed after her promotion was immense. With each signature, as blood extracted from a nearby blood extractor was applied, a strange circuit-like pattern emerged around the signature field.

Ennis was inwardly surprised. She had signed similar documents several times before, but never this many. If she signed all of these, she would have to be careful even when uttering a single word. Otherwise, her heart would stop. Already, the stimulation of the spell, burrowing deep into her organs and binding every nerve, made her entire body tingle.

“Well done, Doctor Lowell.” As the procedure concluded, Bernike’s tentacles approached with clicking sounds. A blue name tag, held in Broca’s snout, caught her eye.

“Welcome to your temporary promotion as a Grade 2 Researcher. I trust you’re ready to undertake larger missions. Don’t forget to be careful with your words around departmental staff. By regulation, lower grades can participate under the guidance of higher grades, but the principle is to vaguely gloss over or remain silent about core information.”

“Th-that’s quite thorough. To think it requires this much…” The name tag hanging around her neck felt strangely heavy. Only then did Ennis realize the much greater responsibility pressing down on her shoulders, and she fell into a gloomy mood. Seeing Bernike’s eyes twitching upward in annoyance, she quickly added,

“Ah, I mean. It’s such an important matter that I’m determined to face it.”

“Can you still say that after seeing this?” The mechanical tentacles moved once more, handing over the documents. From the very first page, a vivid red Grade 2 Security Warning captivated her gaze. Ennis took it and carefully turned the page.

The content was familiar. Except that the black lines of censorship she was used to seeing were completely gone. The doctor, accustomed to redacted documents, was soon flustered. The truth hidden behind the restrictions was simply too absurd.

“Al-aliens, you say?… Th-the mastermind behind the interdimensional invasion? What’s an Apostle, and an Eidos Empire, what in the world is this…?”

Bernike tapped his temple with his right index finger, smiling slyly.

“I trust you understand that our research subject is a highly intelligent being. The subject of the advanced research you will be conducting with me from now on is not merely an Aether beast. It is a life form possessing cognitive abilities equal to or greater than humanity’s. Oh, Doctor! Surely you weren’t naive enough to believe that the being isolated in the deep levels was just a mutated magical beast, as the field agents claimed? You can hear that sound too, can’t you?”

「Aaaaaah!」

“Uh, uh-uh-uh…”

“Therefore, that being currently screaming is, in effect, a prisoner of war. And what we must do is torture that prisoner of war. Do you understand, Doctor?”

「Hwaaaah!」

Her mind was in chaos from the shocking truth. The information was so overwhelming that she had no time to feel surprise or even fear. It was an ironic situation where the overwhelming shock was, in a way, a comfort.

“… My, my God. I can’t believe it even after seeing it. This is…” A tentacle extended from his back and seized Ennis’s shoulder.

“Ugh!”

“Even if you don’t want to know, you’ll soon know everything. Are you ready to see? Beyond the abyss.”

“Yes…”

The ceiling lights flickered unsteadily. Ennis, led by the professor, disappeared down the hallway from which screams echoed.

**

When I first heard that story, only one word captivated my attention. Circliffe.

“So you grew up near that den of iniquity…” Heroic memories of confronting gangs in the past flashed through my mind like lightning. It felt like only yesterday that I had rescued Department Head Leslie and his subordinates from those gloomy alleys, but nearly a year had already passed.

Enrica seemed to struggle before answering, a visible effort to grasp at fuzzy memories hovering in the air like dandelion seeds.

“I don’t remember either. I left home when I was little. The Sellafield Research Institute took me around that time.”

“I see…” It was natural she wouldn’t remember, as this was before she earned the nickname Trinity. We Violet units couldn’t help but wonder. Why are they looking for her now, after all this time?

“Did your parents ever contact you while you were at the institute?” At my question, Enrica’s expression turned wry, and she briefly averted her gaze. Slumped shoulders, lips tightly sealed for a while.

“Sometimes, very occasionally, they came. I remember them calling too… I think I saw them once or twice a year. But they haven’t come since two years ago.”

Oh, as expected, it was not a good answer. To suddenly contact her after not looking for her, and the fact that they came often meant they frequently contacted the institute. Mobilizing the collective intelligence of the Violet units to find the reason, we arrived at one conclusion.

「Could it be that they heard about the academy entrance exam and came to find her? To exploit her?」

「That’s possible!」

To be able to enter the academy means she’s a fairly recognized talent. Many companies or clans come to scout or offer contracts right from the first year. So, there might be malicious intentions. They might have sought her out thinking their child had made it big by entering the academy.

「But she didn’t get accepted, did she? Usually, when you hear stories about bad parents seeking out their successful children, they only sniff out the opportunity when success is confirmed.」

「That’s true.」

The fading debate reignited, but no definite conclusion was reached. Above all, how they knew was the question. They hadn’t heard the acceptance results and came, but surprisingly quickly.

“So, what are you going to do?” Enrica slowly opened her mouth.

“I don’t know. I don’t particularly want to meet them… They probably just wanted to see if I was doing well anyway. For now, I told them I’d think about it and hung up the phone.”

“I see, got it!” I heard that Trinity’s parents were ordinary, non-awakened office workers. Near Circliffe, then. Conveniently, I have subordinates from Circliffe who specialize in background checks.

“-Yes, Boss?” “Yeah, Department Head. It’s nothing big, just a job for you after a long time! I’ll tell you the name now, so do some investigating. What they’ve been doing for the past 10 years, if there’s anything suspicious, or any other rumors. Got it?”

A simple background check will quickly reveal what their intentions are. Until then, I’ll wait. There won’t be any major wars for a while. The Violet Navy is leisurely patrolling the nearby seas, clearing out pirates and hunting magical beasts. The Violet pioneer units in the Carnac Archipelago are also leisurely battling the entire archipelago.

And most importantly, there was a significant task awaiting us Violet units: final exams. We need to prepare for the exams. Ammunition needs restocking, and Ruzilin’s Iron Fist needs checking. Work never lets the Violet units rest.

「We need to produce more weapons!」

「We need to create new Violet units too!」

And so, I spent my time leisurely preparing for the final exams. By the time the number of Violet units gradually exceeded seven thousand, empowered by the mana supplied from Ruzilin’s Iron Fist, ten days had passed.

“I’ve decided to meet them.” As I was eating breakfast, I looked up at the sudden words from across the table. A small glint of determination shone in Enrica’s orange eyes.

“I’ve become curious why they’re looking for me. I also want to know what they were thinking when they left me at the research institute. That’s all.”

“Alright.” I nodded quietly. Department Head Leslie’s report from a little while ago came to mind.

“-No particularly suspicious points were found. As for how they found her, it seems they also searched through people in our line of work after the institute collapsed. I spoke with that person, and they said they were asking around and found someone with the same name, so they checked just in case, and it turned out to be her.”

“-Ah, it seems that the father started a business two years ago, but it didn’t go well. Then, a few months ago, the business finally recovered. Other than that, there are no notable peculiarities.”

Alright, if the Department Head said so, then nothing big should happen if we go. As I was lost in thought, Enrica continued,

“Hey, Violet, could you come with me? It feels a bit awkward to go alone…”

“Huh? An escort, you say! Of course!”

Yes, I’ll need to escort my friend. And while we’re at it, I should bring the Violet animals too. A few days after setting the appointment, we completed our departure preparations. An unexpected companion tagged along.

“Oh, Kalia? Are you going to Circliffe too right now? You don’t have to help us…”

“It’s nothing. I just have something to take care of for the Brotherhood. Someone went missing from our neighborhood, and I heard that person is there.”

“Aha!”

Kalia grumbled as she started her motorbike.

“Gambling addiction, honestly… Should I go and give you directions? I used to go there often when I was looking for my uncle.”

“That’s alright! I’ve figured out where the meeting place is. By the way, how’s your exam prep going?”

“Ah, that… right.” Seeing Kalia let out a deep sigh, it seemed her exam preparation was not going well.

「Well, as long as I don’t get held back a year!」

Violet and her friends set off for Circliffe, each with their own quest.

**

Victory Spring Airport is the largest airport on the continent of Lumeria. Connected to the federal administrative capital, it was constantly swarming with people like a surging tide. Armed Federal soldiers were stationed everywhere, scanning their surroundings with sharp eyes, ready for terrorist attacks and the emergence of magical beasts. People queued, enduring tedious inspections and screenings, their patience tested. They were yet another set of victims created by the flaws of bureaucracy.

However, there were exceptions within this tedious procession. Next to the long line of people, a group haughtily entered, escorted by soldiers.

The men in suits, having entered through the VIP lounge, took seats in the elevated lounge and looked down below. Amidst the faint strains of a symphony, one man spoke.

“Finally, it seems Restraidna is going to reveal the secrets they’ve been hiding. To invite only a select few from our Unity Party so secretly like this, doesn’t it make you excited, everyone?”

As the man smiled and raised his teacup, the man across from him, who had been caressing his sword, retorted curtly.

“But isn’t it too late? They kept repeating like parrots that they would reveal what was found in the Erosion Zone incident, or share information, but in reality, they’ve only been making secret agreements with the military. Even the Speaker hasn’t said anything… Perhaps Commander-in-Chief Cordo doesn’t trust us?”

“That can’t be, Remar. That man holds you in quite high regard. You’ve used that sword to thwart the Unity Party’s coercive legislation how many times? That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? Mr. ‘Guardian of the Assembly’! Just have a little more patience.”

At the senior congressman’s words, Senator Remar fell silent. It was unreasonable, given his career, to contradict someone who had endured the vicissitudes of the Assembly for far longer than himself.

“Moreover, if Restraidna truly distrusted us, would they have politely requested the acquisition of artifacts through the Assembly, let alone invite us? As you may have heard, the artifact they need is being sent as a ‘gift’ on the plane we’re about to board. That’s why the departure is delayed, by the way. Anyway, why are those Foundation fellows so fussy…”

Another congressman grumbled, seemingly agreeing with the senior member’s words. His gaze was fixed on a white-clad staff member dispatched from Luminaksa, who stood expressionlessly.

“Indeed. They provide so little support or cooperation, yet their interference regarding safety and such is so severe…”

“Right, those Foundation guys! Someday, we’ll have to properly teach them a lesson…”

“Hush, that fellow is listening. He might go and report us, you know? Haha…”

Remar withdrew the hand that had been caressing his sword and gazed out the window. His attention was drawn to the specially packaged boxes being continuously loaded into the cargo hold of the federal charter plane parked on the airfield.

As they discussed current affairs, military trends, and the political situation in Lustrum for a long time, time flew by like an arrow. Soon, it was departure time, and the congressmen arrived at the boarding gate with slow steps. Aides and bodyguards followed in a line behind them.

As seating was completed, one senator pointed to a bottle politely offered by a flight attendant.

“Now, why don’t we wet our throats? We’re on board now, so let’s have a drink. It’s good champagne. Alebor Crystal!”

“Sounds good!”

As the senators each raised a glass, Remar, who had also taken a champagne glass and was sipping it, looked around, then put his glass down and moved his right hand to the hilt of his sword. The elderly senior congressman looked at him quizzically.

“What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly activating your mana? Are you planning a duel?”

“No, it was a mistake. Nothing at all…” Remar sat back down. The sweet taste of the champagne completely washed away the instinctive suspicion from his hunter days. Soon, the charter plane departed from the airport, escorted by the Federal Air Force, and ascended into the sky towards Lustrum.

The sky was perfectly clear and bright. The congressmen were immersed in enjoyment, and their aides were busy. Therefore, no one would have noticed. A group of dark figures that had infiltrated the aircraft.

-Rustle! As the passenger plane reached its maximum altitude, the cockroaches began their activity. Their target locations were the wings and the cockpit. The lights of the devices attached to their black, shimmering bodies flickered ominously red.