Ch.104Chapter 17. Questions (7)

It didn’t take long for the six of us to gather again.

My plan to visit Jihye was already discussed, and everyone knew the orphanage’s location. After confirming there wasn’t much to salvage at the company, the others came to the orphanage without looking particularly surprised.

That made sense, since I had already coordinated with Hayun and Ju-a.

“It’s not like we’ve never spoken with government officials. We’ve had various discussions about the Combatant issue,” Rose said.

“But this is the first time they’ve made specific demands.”

I thought the Federation was being cautious around the government. After all, the Federation had been respecting our decision not to join them.

I assumed they were simply following the law, but as time passed and incidents occurred, it seemed more like the government was being led by both the Federation and the company.

Looking at the current situation, the company should have been thoroughly investigated by now, regardless of its connections. They were openly leading an armed group and terrorizing people.

The Combatants might not be a major issue. Hired thugs alone can’t stage a coup. Though armed, they didn’t have guns, artillery, or bombs, so they couldn’t really be called an “army.”

So perhaps that level of activity could be overlooked if deemed “beneficial,” but producing Kaijin by experimenting on Earth humans is another matter entirely.

Even without concrete evidence, conducting such experiments without permission would be grounds for investigation.

Well, today was actually the first step in that direction.

But the results were problematic.

“Are you planning to cooperate?” Dalia asked.

“…”

I couldn’t help but fall into deep thought at her question.

If I only knew the location.

If I could just find out where they were, I could raid the place and rescue Pang Pang. Though I wasn’t even sure if she was still safe.

Unfortunately, we lacked the resources to discover that location. With government help, finding it would be much easier, wouldn’t it?

Even if they had fled to space, they would need to purchase supplies to survive. The government likely had some channels with alien planets despite not joining the Federation. And if they were still in this country, they could be found much more easily.

Though considering they hadn’t found us in several months, their capabilities seemed somewhat limited.

“What about the Federation?”

When I asked this, the shoulders of the magical girls, including Hayun, tensed visibly.

They exchanged glances before turning their attention to me.

“What do you think the Federation would think?” I asked again.

After some consideration, they responded.

“Well, the Federation is opposed to Noir Corporation, so…”

“But I’m not sure they’d be much help. They have quite a few hardheaded people in their upper ranks,” Hayun said with a tilt of her head, and Rose finished the thought.

I see.

I suppose the Federation is also a governmental organization in the broader sense. I’ve heard they have a congress, executive branch, and legislative branch. The countries under them simply exist separately, making it difficult to unite in one place.

But conversely, the Federation’s efforts to incorporate other Earth nations suggests that the numerous countries on those alien planets see benefit in bringing Earth into their fold.

To the point where they try to work with Noir Corporation despite outward opposition.

…Perhaps the highest-ranking people in the Federation knew about the “usefulness” of Earth humans?

“I’m also curious why the company is acting this way,” Iris said with a furrowed brow.

“The more openly they commit these atrocities, the harder it becomes for the government to side with them.”

“It’s not unreasonable if they’re trying to sustain the company through other means,” James said.

James had landed his drone on the desk between Jihye and me and come outside. Like people deep in thought, he was pacing across the desk.

“Sustain the company?”

“It’s not impossible if they leave this country. If their spaceship is large enough, with proper facilities, and if there’s a reason to live there, they can continue their business,” James said, stopping to look at me.

“Of course, it would be much more complicated and less stable than dealing with countries or the Federation, but things have become this complicated thanks to you.”

“It’s not complicated because of me, but because of their unnecessary greed. If the chairman hadn’t attempted a coup, the company would still be operating normally while stabbing this country in the back.”

In that sense, was that coup… good for me?

Everything got complicated, including my life, but it’s different from when I was being dragged deeper into that swamp.

…Though of course, it’s incomparably worse than if I had never joined the company in the first place.

“But is that possible?” Ju-a asked James.

“Keeping a ship in space—while common by Federation standards—ships have lifespans. Even building a space port has the same issue. And the energy required…”

“Energy can be secured,” James said.

“At an almost permanent level, isn’t that right? You fought those ‘energy sources’ today as well.”

“…”

The room fell silent.

“The same goes for customers. Of course, the Federation wouldn’t be thrilled about the formation of something resembling a military faction, but they might change their mind when they see what that faction produces. After all, ‘artificial humans’ are Noir Corporation’s unique technology. They could steadily produce these immensely profitable beings simply by conducting genetic manipulation and component manufacturing inside their ship.”

James’s gaze settled on me.

“If the Federation tried to make them directly, they’d face tremendous controversy. They might need some packaging. They might cover them with various components, metal plates, and ceramics, and sell them as ‘batteries.'”

“Then why would anyone need to buy such things…”

“Enormous energy allows for the creation and maintenance of equally enormous facilities,” James said.

“The Federation appears powerful, but in reality, they’re always walking on thin ice. Numerous planets have joined to outwardly represent ‘one nation,’ but in reality, countless countries are fighting for their interests under the Federation name. A single planet can have as few as several countries or as many as hundreds. Even Earth has an enormous number of countries.”

So those who gain the upper hand in the Federation are more likely to secure rights to a planet’s surface, or above or below sea level.

Most countries are indifferent to historical issues or emotional conflicts of distant nations. Even the opposite side of Earth seems remote—how much more so for countries on entirely different planets with no competing interests?

Moreover, planets other than Earth have resources used like “oil” or “coal.” If there are “oil-producing countries” particularly rich in such resources, they would become the center of all sorts of power struggles.

“So, you’re saying there will be places that want such facilities?”

“Yes. Imagine this,” James continued, prowling across the desk.

“What about countries that lost wars and suffered not national damage but serious blows to their pride? Or countries that lost resource-rich territories, though not enough to destroy the nation? What about countries trying to swallow neighboring nations for historical or ideological justification?”

“Would the Federation allow that?”

“Those aiming for higher positions within the Federation could also be customers for such items. Some might even extend protection at the national or planetary level. Power itself can sometimes serve as justification. What would people think about an entity that has secured the core technology and ‘materials’ to create such power?”

Looking at our completely frozen expressions, James spoke with unusual seriousness.

“Of course, technology can be developed. But it takes considerable time for those who haven’t considered ‘such applications’ to catch up. Moreover, now that an entity attempting such things has been identified on Earth, fierce debates will follow, making it harder to secure the technology.”

Nuclear weapon technology isn’t impossible for those with sufficient technical capabilities.

In fact, with enough technical knowledge, one could produce usable nuclear weapons in less than a year if determined.

But those who make such weapons face strong sanctions from the international community. As a result, countries other than those that achieved nuclear armament before a certain point are effectively blocked from development by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

…Conversely, those who already possess nuclear weapons might continue to use them. Even if they don’t make more, they might keep them as a precaution against others.

“Are they trying to reestablish order within the Federation?”

“Yes. Perhaps the Federation’s lack of clear movement is because something is happening at its core. They might be too preoccupied to pay attention to our situation.”

“…”

Hearing this explanation, I could somewhat understand. It’s plausible that they might be fighting over practical matters among themselves, neglecting actual work to focus on political strife.

However—

“So?”

I asked James.

The conversation seemed to have veered off track.

What I want is to get Pang Pang back.

Well, it would be nice to punch the chairman and hand him over to the police in the process. It would also be good to discover the identity of these “Earth human Kaijin” and destroy the facilities so Earth humans can’t be used that way.

I’m an Earth human too, and I know right from wrong in my own way. …Even if I can’t always make rational judgments.

But I didn’t become a magical girl for the sake of justice.

All of that was secondary to me. Right now, the most important thing is rescuing Pang Pang, followed by getting back at the chairman.

I didn’t care about James’s ideology or the political logic within the company and Federation.

“Is all that so important to finding Pang Pang?”

It might be important if it related to me, but did I really need to know about the Federation’s thoughts or the company’s situation?

“It is important,” James replied simply.

“Why?”

“Because that Pang Pang might be the former chairman’s granddaughter.”

“…”

I momentarily failed to comprehend James’s words.

“Pang Pang is the former Noir Corporation chairman’s granddaughter?”

“Yes. The possibility is high.”

“Based on what?”

“Noir Corporation doesn’t properly understand the relationship between you, me, and that woman.”

“They could have figured it out.”

“Even if they did, it would be difficult to imagine you would be so enraged for her sake. If that were the case, they would have searched your school first.”

I only had Hayun as a friend at school, but apparently the company didn’t know that either.

“Above all, that automatic turret from her house. It’s too dangerous for an individual to possess. It’s likely someone gave it to her.”

“…So you’re saying Pang Pang hid me because she’s the former chairman’s granddaughter?”

“That remains unknown. Would you think the chairman’s granddaughter would live in such a semi-basement apartment?”

“…”

“There might be a granddaughter, but their relationship might not have been that good. It’s a common story. The heir of a wealthy family has little interest in the family business, fights over it, and runs away. Or conversely, what if she didn’t know she was the chairman’s granddaughter? We have no way of knowing about personal matters, but it could happen if family affairs are complicated.”

“Then…”

“If I had to guess, she probably received that device somewhat reluctantly after we left her side. I didn’t know that girl for long, but she seemed to have more affection for Earth than the Federation, at least outwardly. If so, she wouldn’t have considered using such a device even if she reluctantly accepted it.”

There was nowhere to hide such a turret in the first place. If she had hidden it outside the house, it would have been impossible to retrieve and install it at that moment.

So, piecing together the situation according to James:

After we left, people from the former chairman’s side came, knowing Pang Pang’s location.

Pang Pang rejected their offer for some reason—perhaps she had a major fight with the former chairman, or maybe she didn’t even know she was his granddaughter.

But they left the defensive equipment somewhat reluctantly, and Pang Pang kept it in her house.

And today, the current chairman’s people who came looking for Pang Pang attacked her home. Pang Pang tried to activate the turret to somehow stop the situation, but whether by mistake or not, it was too late, and she was kidnapped.

…We arrived at the scene right after.

“What’s the point of capturing the former chairman’s granddaughter now? Hasn’t the company already been taken over?”

“I’m not sure about that,” James said.

“I am loyal to the former chairman, but…”

He was just an executive, after all.

Even as a high-ranking executive, he wasn’t part of the chairman’s bloodline. He wouldn’t know all the details of family matters.

I exhaled deeply with my hand on my forehead.

“…Fine.”

I looked at James.

He was staring up at me. Was he hoping for my help?

I’m not sure how loyal James was to the former chairman. But sometimes loyalty based on ideology runs deeper than loyalty based on money. Especially for those with unusual ideologies like James and the former chairman—it could almost be considered the same religion.

“Whatever the case, Pang Pang is my benefactor. And… yes, one of my few friends.”

Though the situation was complicated, I decided to push all that complexity aside.

Yes. Things like reversing the universe’s entropy or political struggles for control of the Federation are meaningless to me. What matters are the people around me.

And my own safety.

If I can properly protect all of this, I decided to ignore everything else.

So right now, I have only one task.

To somehow rescue Pang Pang. I’ll think about what comes after later.

“So, I’m going to rescue her. I’ll think about the rest afterward. …What about you all?”

I looked around as I spoke.

This was Jihye’s and my room, but Jihye wasn’t here. Neither were the other government people. We had asked for a place where we could talk comfortably among ourselves.

The girls’ expressions were serious.

But somehow, I felt I knew what they were going to say.

“Of course we’ll help,” Rose said.

“For now, it seems our goals align. Right?”

I shrugged at Rose, who smiled as she spoke.

“So even if we don’t know exactly why they took her, rescuing her would be a blow to the chairman. I’ll help too, obviously,” Dalia said.

“…We don’t have many other options either,” Delphinium added.

I looked toward Ju-a and Hayun.

“…I’ll help,” Ju-a said.

“If she’s someone who prevented what we did from becoming more serious.”

Was she referring to how I ended up on the run?

I didn’t blame the magical girls for that, but Ju-a didn’t seem like she would accept it if I said I was fine with it.

Above all, these tangled issues were still far from resolved.

…Once things were somewhat resolved, we would need to address those lingering feelings somehow.

“Of course I’ll help,” Hayun said, nodding as our eyes met.

The smile she had shown earlier was gone. Whether because of my condition or because she was conscious of the atmosphere, she seemed more serious now.

But even so, her voice conveyed genuine sincerity.

“Because it’s Jieun’s matter.”

Because it’s my matter.

Hayun’s words made me a bit happy.

I’ve felt more during the time spent with Hayun than in all our years of acquaintance. Hayun has her weaknesses and emotional aspects, but—

Of all the people I’ve known, she was the most upright.

And in Hayun’s eyes, helping a friend’s benefactor was simply the natural thing to do.

“…”

A girl different from me, who only cares about my own affairs regardless of what happens on Earth.

Perhaps that’s why I’ve continuously felt jealousy and inferiority toward her.

And that’s why I’ve liked her.

…The answer to the question about my feelings was ultimately that simple.