Ch.84Then we’re comrades, right?

# Chapter 84: Then We’re Comrades, Right?

[PAUSE]

After hearing Prosnack’s opinion, I paused time once again and sank into thought.

Would this really help the Empire?

And if so, how much?

Could it be a trap?

And so on.

With time in abundance during the pause, I continued to deliberate extensively.

After experiencing what felt like decision paralysis dozens of times…

‘Alright, I’ll go with it.’

[UNPAUSE]

After releasing the pause, I nodded in agreement with Ambassador Prosnack’s opinion and said:

“That’s an excellent suggestion. I quite like it.”

To my surprise, Ambassador Prosnack, who had proposed the idea, appeared rather flustered by my response.

“I… I shouldn’t say this, but perhaps you might want to take some time to think it over?”

He wasn’t just seemingly flustered—he was genuinely bewildered.

Where had his dignified and composed demeanor gone? Why was he so taken aback?

Unable to understand his reaction, I was about to activate another pause to reorganize my thoughts when…

[PAUSE]

‘Ah.’

The moment I paused time, I finally understood why Ambassador Prosnack had reacted that way.

From my perspective, I had reached a conclusion after considerable deliberation.

But from the ambassador’s viewpoint…

It appeared as though I had made an immediate decision right after hearing his proposal.

Looking at Ambassador Prosnack’s face with this realization, I could read a very nuanced and complex meaning in his expression.

‘Why is this guy responding without even thinking about it?’ is what his face seemed to be saying.

Having understood the situation, I decided to clear up the ambassador’s misunderstanding as I released the pause.

————————–

A moment later.

“To reach a conclusion in such a short time—truly remarkable.”

After my passionate self-defense, Ambassador Prosnack—Jad Samiya Halabi’dus—showed his astonishment while breaking into a cold sweat.

“It’s nothing special. Even I am sluggish compared to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Hmm…”

At my words, the ambassador gave me a skeptical look, as if he thought I was lying.

‘Well, I wasn’t lying.’

To be honest, without the ability to pause time… Artraia was indeed smarter and quicker in thought than me.

“…To think that’s really the case. I can hardly believe it.”

Ambassador Prosnack shook his head with an expression of utter disbelief.

I decided it was time to bid farewell to the ambassador with the most businesslike smile I could muster.

“In any case, I appreciate your country’s support, but since this requires cooperation between our two nations… I’ll proceed with this matter after consulting with His Majesty.”

“I entrust this to you. I spoke with Minister Virtorius precisely to ensure that these consultations and negotiations proceed as quickly as possible.”

‘I know you’re at the top of your empire’s power hierarchy, so don’t waste time unnecessarily.’

His threatening manner right up to the end was quintessentially Prosnack.

“You’re absolutely right. Both myself and His Majesty are… extremely eager about this matter.”

‘We’ll handle this ourselves, so don’t interfere.’

Of course, I wasn’t one to yield to such threats.

As soon as I fired back, Prosnack’s ambassador adjusted his hijab-like hood and smiled slyly.

I responded with a smile of my own, and we concluded this diplomatic meeting(?) with mutual smiles.

But for some reason…

“…Ambassador Halabi’dus?”

“Umm… yes?”

“Is there something troubling you?”

For some unknown reason, Prosnack’s ambassador kept hesitating even though our conversation had concluded.

Concerned that there might be an issue with the agreement or the content of our meeting, I posed a question.

“…Would it be possible to have one more cup of that coffee we had earlier?”

“Pardon?”

“It suited my taste better than expected… I’d like to take some with me before I leave, if possible.”

His response was completely unexpected, leaving me momentarily perplexed…

“Well, let’s have one more cup then.”

With the thought that even people who turn aliens into soap and gas are still people after all…

And since I wouldn’t mind another cup myself, I gestured to Gaia, who had been peeking from behind the café counter, and said:

“Gaia, sorry, but could you brew one more cup for me and the ambassador here?”

“What? Y-Yes… Yes!”

——————————-

After concluding my meeting with Ambassador Prosnack—which was neither thrilling nor particularly intimate—

I headed straight to the Diplomatic Executive Building on Ka’zan’s surface.

But the moment I entered the building…

“Atten-TION! From now on, this place is under the control of our Marine Corps!”

“Barging in out of nowhere, you’ve got some nerve running your mouth.”

I found Purge Unit members and Prosnack Marines in an unexpected standoff inside the Diplomatic Executive Building.

“Waaaaaah!!!”

“No, stop! I still have payments left on that!”

Poor office workers caught in the crossfire between the two human weapons.

“Minister, I just want to ask one thing—why did you abandon me, abandon us?”

And there was Riel, wielding what looked like a Lightning Claw and mace from who-knows-where, on the verge of committing heresy.

Seeing this total chaos, I let out a deep sigh and then:

“Ash, sorry, but could you subdue all of them?”

“Yes~”

I decided to use Ash, who was partially integrated with the Diplomatic Executive Building and its grounds, to quell this disturbance and assess the situation.

“Uwooooh!”

“Tahaang! We’re under attack by nano-machines!”

Of course, both the Prosnack Marines and Purge Unit members showed resistance, quickly evading Ash’s surprise attack.

“Ah, it’s the Minister!”

“Everyone stand down! The Minister is caressing us with his tentacles!”

“Ooooh!”

Though their reasons seemed somewhat impure, the Purge Unit members, recognizing that I was controlling Ash, allowed themselves to be captured.

As for the Prosnack Marines…

“How dare these nano-machines touch our bodies filled with the Marine spirit…!”

“Grrrrrk…”

They ended up paying the price that the Purge Unit members should have paid, thoroughly restrained by Ash and forced to kneel on the ground.

With the situation finally under control, I pressed my fingers against my throbbing temples, trying to maintain my composure as I spoke:

“So, would someone care to explain what’s going on here… following the five Ws and one H, as quickly as possible?”

“Yesh, me.”

Thanks to Riel’s explanation—who had regained her senses after being struck by Ash’s discipline rod before she could commit heresy—I came to understand how this situation had unfolded.

“So… the Prosnack Marines broke through the main entrance of the Diplomatic Executive Building without any prior notice, and you’ve been in a standoff since then?”

“No, not the main entrance, the back entrance.”

“You bastard… according to the Marine spirit, we must always target the enemy’s rear!”

The most ridiculous part was:

The Prosnack Marines who had entered that way weren’t actually doing anything significant, just talking among themselves.

But when the Purge Unit members in the basement of the Diplomatic Executive Building heard that Prosnack Marines were “attacking(?)”, they entered into a standoff following their principle of “act first, report later.”

And while I was listening to this absurd story in disbelief…

-Ding♪

Checking the notification on my terminal, the content I saw made me lose my composure even further:

[To: Arto Virtorius Sevelli, Minister of the Diplomatic Executive Building]

[This meeting was an impressively productive one.]

[Therefore, immediately after our meeting concluded, I sent the Marines stationed at our embassy to your location.]

[Please feel free to use them as you see fit.]

“…Ha.”

The notification about the Marines, sent right after we parted ways, had only just arrived on my terminal.

Of course, Ambassador Prosnack who sent this message probably thought the embassy’s Marines would move around the time I arrived.

Who could have predicted that upon receiving the order, they would steal a truck from the embassy and crash through the back entrance of the Diplomatic Executive Building?

After briefly organizing the situation in my mind,

I used Ash to bring both the Purge Unit and the Marines to the basement of the Diplomatic Executive Building, released their restraints, and said:

“Starting today and for the time being, the Purge Unit and Prosnack Marines will conduct joint operations.”

“…Excuse me?”

Naturally, the Purge Unit members, who hadn’t been briefed on anything, couldn’t hide their bewilderment at my words.

But…

“Huh?”

“Us?”

Seeing the Prosnack Marines—who had boldly invaded the Diplomatic Executive Building—react as if they were hearing this for the first time,

I began to think that this matter might not be resolved as easily as I had hoped.