Chapter 7: Back to the Multi-Race Coalition

Shuuichi Arakawa’s Point of View

From the observation tower of the fifth training ground on G-88, I watched my subordinates during the ground training exercise.

The geography was putting the attacking side at a major disadvantage, and the multiple units were finding it difficult to work together.

I clutched the radio in my hand and yelled my orders at Squadron B: “Squadron B! Move forward, now! Squadron C is behind you and waiting for your asses to move!”

It was difficult for Squadron B to advance because the intense suppressing fire from the enemy hiding ahead of them was overwhelming.

Squadron A was attempting a flank attack, but they too had been stopped by a small number of enemy powered suits that were attacking them from either side.

“Commandant, we’ve received a weather report from the carrier ship Siren patrolling offshore,” Elise reported. “Visibility is expected to drop rapidly due to low air pressure. It’s going to be difficult to introduce further ground units or provide landing support...”

I checked the weather radar and quickly realized that Elise was right; there were no viable landing sites.

In the four hours since the operation started, we’ve put about 600 soldiers on the ground. I doubt we can do much more with just landing craft. All I can do now is have them withdraw and pin our hopes on a secondary landing operation.

“End the training exercise,” I ordered. “Let’s say that half of the attacking forces on the ground were killed while withdrawing. Have each unit reorganize with that in mind.”

“Understood.”

I announced the end of the training session over the radio. Then the intense snowstorm rapidly dissipated and rays of sunlight broke through the clouds.

Ursna’s higher mages really are something, I reflected. It’s hard to believe that when 200 of them gather, they can change the weather within a 50-kilometer radius. I’m glad they’re on our side. Without them, we’d never be able to train for an invasion operation in Antarctica.

“Commander, perhaps we should employ the strategy that Kouki improved on in the past?” Elise suggested with her head bowed.

Now that the training was over, she was going back to calling me “Commander” instead of “Commandant.”

Yes, Kouki’s polar region strategy was looking like our most effective option. There was just one problem.

“That strategy involves having our elite forces rush the enemy’s headquarters,” I said. “I realize how effective it could be. We’d be entering the region from outside of the atmosphere using intercontinental ballistic missiles. But to do that, we’d have to fly.”

“That means...”

The only one capable of flying a powered suit with the necessary flight parts installed was Kouki. The rest of us could only hover for a short time, and even that took great effort. I had no idea how much training it would require until we could actually fly.

And based on Miki’s descriptions, there was no way to know how much experience Kouki had amassed before learning the ability himself.

“Training will resume after two hours,” I said. “Until then—”

I was interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door.

Who could that be? We’re in a training facility more than 1,800 kilometers away from Noa Island, so I doubt it’s a visitor.

“Come in,” I said brusquely. “You’d better have a good reason for—”

With my permission, two beautiful women entered the room, both accompanied by guards.

I couldn’t help but cry out in surprise. “Princess Adrienne?! And Empress Victoria... Forgive my rudeness! I thought it was a soldier...”

“Please be at ease,” Adrienne said. “It has been some time since our last meeting, Sir Shuuichi.”

“Quite some time indeed,” Victoria added.

The two of them greeted me with smiles without seeming at all bothered by my lack of manners.

But what brings them here? The higher mages of the Ursna Empire that Empress Victoria loaned to us are being treated as if they’re our own officers. Even the knights from the Merkava Kingdom here to observe the battle have been treated with great respect.

I couldn’t think of a reason for them to come all this way until Empress Victoria herself explained.

“Several days ago, Miki informed us of Noa’s situation. And also about the matter involving your son, Kouki. Shortly after, the Ursna Empire and the Merkava Kingdom secretly held discussions with Noa.”

“The matter we discussed was the prospect of sending volunteer soldiers to Noa,” Adrienne added. “To put it briefly, we are considering sending soldiers from the Multi-Race Coalition Force into your world.”

I welcomed the idea of the empire and the kingdom sending us soldiers. But soldiers from cultures on their level could hardly fight against New World; they’d be annihilated instantly.

“It’s clear from the look on your face what you’re thinking,” said Victoria. “You don’t believe that we can be of any use to you.”

“No, I wasn’t thinking that... But if you fight in our world, you’d be fighting an enemy with the same equipment that we use.”

“I am well aware. Anyone standing in front of your rifles is easily shot down. Anyone hiding below the ground can be crushed by missiles. Even a surprise attack will fail in the face of your powered suits.”

They’re willing to give us soldiers, despite knowing this? Would they be foolish enough to waste their own soldiers in hopeless battles? They must have some sort of plan...

“We will not fight,” Adrienne explained. “Instead, we will make it difficult for the enemy. If the enemy is hidden by the terrain, we will change the terrain. If the weather puts our side at a disadvantage, we will change the weather. If we cannot win against their powered suits, we will work our magic against the humans inside.”

“Perhaps we are little more than uncivilized barbarians to you, but we can learn from the examples of others,” Victoria added. “You have protected the empire and the kingdom. It is our turn to protect you.”

“We need not be concerned about magical energy. If we charge our magical energy with the gems created by Kon, we can use magic in your world.”

I had them all wrong... I’ve misunderstood the people of G-88. I thought they had no way to fight against our technology, but is that really true? The tactics they’ve just explained could be enough to drive us back and maybe even defeat us.

I could think of nothing more frightening than an enemy that could change the terrain and the environment. Such an enemy would make all maps and tactics worthless.

“I understand,” I said. “We’ll make a formal request for volunteer soldiers from the empire and the kingdom.”

“We will be at your service,” Adrienne replied.

“You can trust in us,” Victoria agreed.

“Oh, I forgot,” Adrienne put in. “Out of the demonic races providing soldiers, there was one race that volunteered for battle in the sea’s polar regions.”

“Which race?” I asked with trepidation.

I have a bad feeling about this. It’s the same feeling I always have before hearing that Kouki’s done something stupid again.

“The kraken race,” Victoria told me. “They were unable to participate in the previous war because the battles took place on land, but this time they’ll have a part to play. In a previous mock battle, there was a mention of... nuc... nucle...?”

“You mean nuclear submarines?”

“Ooh! Yes, they defeated the nuclear submarine, Tolstoy. Slow weapons like torpedoes are of no use against krakens.”

The torpedoes carried by the Tolstoy were an improved version of the super cavitation torpedoes based on the Russian-made ZS-115 Grom, and they traveled through water at a speed of 200 knots.

I can’t even imagine a creature that would consider something approaching at over 370 kilometers per hour slow. The thought of such a creature made my blood run cold.

There was another knock at the door.

“Please, come in,” I said.

It was Kouki who entered.

I’d heard from Miki that Kouki would be coming to G-88 to see me once she was done lecturing him. Knowing how angry Miki must have been, I decided I wouldn’t give him any further lectures myself.

Instead, I had a question for him.

“Good timing,” I said. “Ursna and Merkava are both about to provide military support to Noa. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on this? I realize that, with the exception of a few races, they’ll be outclassed on the battlefield, but I believe we need their help to set up our positions...”

Kouki tilted his head and looked at me curiously. Then he seemed to realize something. He nodded before taking a seat.

“Well...” he said, “I’ll get right to the point. I think you’ve got it all wrong. Outclassed? That’s just because these two nations don’t know how to fight against an enemy with modern equipment. If they knew the right methods, it would be Noa at risk of being outclassed.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Empress Victoria. Tell me, if five powered suits were to appear in the capital city of the Ursna Empire, how would you defeat them?”

“Let me see... In the capital, mages can line the walls and produce an almighty fireball. Though that might not suffice to destroy a powered suit.”

Exactly. A powered suit couldn’t be stopped so easily. The suit would be capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 10,000°C for a moment or two, assuming its cooler was operating correctly. Even if the suit could be stopped, this would only be effective against an attacking force no larger than several hundred soldiers.

“You’re right, they wouldn’t be destroyed,” Kouki said. “But I’d be able to defeat them with just four mages and two members of the mantis race. First, I’d use magic to turn the ground to mud around the powered suits. That would reduce maneuverability of the suits for a moment. Do you know what would come next, Dad?”

“They’d just jump to a location with more stable footing.”

“That’s what I’d be waiting for. While they were in the air, I’d use magic that produced large fireballs and water-balls.”

“But using those types of magic simultaneously would cause an explosion!” Adrienne objected.

“Exactly, Princess Adrienne.” Kouki grinned. “You’d call it a steam explosion. In such a situation, the sensors used by powered suits would temporarily shut down. They’d recover within several seconds, but surrounded by dense steam, the visibility would be so poor that they’d be blind. Then the mantis race would strike the weakest parts of the suits. Essentially, their scythes would attack the joint portions.”

A mantis scythe would be enough to cut through the joint parts, I realized. If the ground suddenly turned to mud and then there was a steam explosion, I can’t even imagine fighting during the confusion that would cause. When you think about it, Kouki’s methods could be incredibly effective.

“Then I’d seal the immovable suits inside within rock-like domes and wait for their batteries to run out. Or you could use summoning magic to call something like a golem. Given enough time, it could probably break apart a suit.”

I see. I was impressed. I’m surprised how many tactics there are, when you think about it that way. Kouki seems to be giving Empress Victoria and Princess Adrienne a lot to think about. I’ll leave this to Kouki. He’ll find a way to combine our modern technology with their magic. Someone like me or Cote would probably be weighed down by our common sense. I’ll leave it to Kouki to come up with the right tactics.

**

Miki Arakawa’s Point of View

“Miki, it’s time,” Elise said quietly as she placed a cup of tea down on the table.

I nodded and then gave a signal to the member of staff waiting at the right side of my desk.

“Connecting...” appeared on the screen in front of me.

After a short amount of time, a pale-faced man appeared.

“Long time no see, President Shumsky.”

“Long time no see, Mrs. Arakawa.”

It had been approximately one hour since Kouki’s return to the Hakone base.

As always, the Russian president was looking unwell and sounding tired.

“The incident involving Captain Yulia and the submarine they’ve been secretly keeping must have caused you a lot of trouble.”

“Not at all.” The president looked troubled as he expressed his gratitude. “Despite the incident involving your son, we’ve benefited greatly from the free broadcasting rights and the diamond mine.”

Personally, I’d wanted to call everything off after the Russians had failed to uphold Kouki’s deal with them. But Kouki had insisted I honor the original agreement.

“We’ll definitely profit from this!” he’d told the political department. “There’s no risk to us!”

I hadn’t been able to understand his reasoning.

Perhaps it worked out well in one of his previous lives...

“The topic of today’s discussion...” President Shumsky said.

“Yes, I’d like to finalize the agreement regarding our attack on New World’s main base in Antarctica,” I said.

“Very well. You will have our full support.”

“I’m grateful for that. Please take a look at these documents.”

I used my terminal to show him the reinforcements coming from the world of G-88.

We’ve thought of good explanations for all of this, so sharing the information shouldn’t cause problems.

“This... I’m sorry, but... is this an image of a squid?”

“That’s right. It’s a life form created using squid genetics. Its formal name is the G-88 series, type-kraken. Noa’s weapons development department... Actually, we’re friends, so I’ll tell you everything. It’s a biological weapon that my son created.”

“Th-This is a weapon?!”

“Yes. This life form is 185 meters long, or more than 200 meters long if you include the tentacles. We estimate that they can move through the water at a speed of 480 knots. Their bodies are covered with a special mucus that makes them impossible to detect using sonar or heat sensors. And as you can see from the next photograph, they’re extremely obedient.”

As I spoke, I brought up the photograph of Kouki playing with a member of the kraken race. If I remembered correctly, this was the kraken named Muu. I’d been there at the time, but Muu had been incredibly friendly towards Kouki and Shingo and had picked them both up in its tentacles while speeding through the water. I would probably have thrown up if I’d traveled at that speed.

“The next thing I’d like to show you is the G-88 series, type-dragon. This is a biological weapon created using dinosaur and monitor lizard genetics. It has a length of 30 meters and some of its internal body parts are mechanical, so it can emit plasma flames from its mouth. It can also fly at a top speed of Mach 6.7. These creatures are equally obedient.”

The photograph showed Alice and Aikawa riding on Lirin’s back while laughing. This white dragon wasn’t just obedient, she was a refined and cultured woman. But I could hardly tell the president that I’d enlisted creatures from another world to support us.

“Did Kouki create all of these creatures...?” he asked faintly.

“That’s right. I should mention that the outer skin of the dragon is extremely tough, so to stop it, you’d have to fire a barrage of railgun shells with a caliber of over 200 millimeters or overwhelm it with powered suit armor piercing shells.”

“It sounds like a monster.”

“These are all of our large-scale biological weapons. Now I’d like to introduce our biological weapons for use in land operations. This land biological weapon from the same series is known as the type-arachne. This creature was created by combining human and spider genetics. This is top secret, but we used my generics, so it can speak human language. It can speak some Japanese.”

The president looked at me in disbelief when I mentioned human genetics. But there was no other way to explain the arachne race, because the top half of their bodies looked like a human female.

Perhaps it was wrong of me, but I was glad that the human-looking part of each arachne was beautiful-looking, because it meant I wasn’t embarrassed to say they’d been created using my genetics.

I originally wanted a pure-spider type such as the queen of the arachne race to fight with us, but it turns out they can’t handle cold environments, I thought regretfully.

“Forgive me for asking... but are there any more such creatures?” President Shumsky asked.

“Of course. Though the type-arachne is the only creature that we tried creating with human genetics.”

“But doesn’t the incorporation of human genetics raise concerns?”

“Yes... That’s why we only created one such type. If I had to justify this decision, I would tell you that only my genetics were used, so I didn’t violate the United Nations regulation forbidding the use of genetics of ‘a fellow human.’ You could argue that some of my genetics are shared by my son, but the experiment itself didn’t take place on Earth. This all took place on an orbital platform launched by Noa several days ago.”

This would all be considered very gray area. I had no doubt that the United Nations regulations would have to be rewritten, but that was a worry for another day. Experiments on this level would likely be pardoned once a strict set of conditions had been put in place and agreed on by both parties. Of course, this would be after agreeing to an inspection and clearly stating how we planned to use these new weapons.

“Similar experiments were conducted by my country, but they took us more than a decade to complete,” President Shumsky said. “I’m surprised that Noa had the technological capabilities to succeed in just a few months.”

“Oho. It’s no use hinting for more information. This project is considered highly classified even within my own research department. Only a handful of my researchers were in any way involved. So I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything more.”

I deliberately showed him an attractive smile to drive the point home. A frown would have worked just as well, but I had to remain friendly for the sake of the operation we were planning.

“Ha ha!” he chuckled. “Indeed. I understand that very well.”

“However, I expect there to be strong collaboration between Noa and Russia in the future.”

“...Of what sort?”

I’ve got a bite! Russia must be dying to get their hands on biological weapon technology. Too bad, Noa doesn’t even have that technology. I can just send them information gathered from the Ursna Empire’s soldiers with a few changes and let them misinterpret it however they like. I’d like us to make an ally of a strong nation like the Russian Federation while we have the chance to surprise the United States, the EU, and the East Asia Alliance.

“That depends what sort of weapon information you want and how much,” I said. “This is all very hypothetical, but if favorable statements were continually made on our behalf during United Nations general assemblies and in secret meetings between heads of state with Noa in attendance, Noa could very quickly share details of our biological weapons projects, as well as prototype sixth-generation suit parts.”

“R-Really?!”

“Yes. We are also quite willing to assist in another attempt to launch the nuclear pulse propulsion rocket, Nadezhda, whose launch failed last year. By the way, we’ve investigated the reasons behind the failure of the launch.”

Last year, the Russian government had begun working on something called the Interstellar Spacecraft Project, similar to Project Orion undertaken by the United States long ago.

For Noa, creating such a spaceship would be a suitable research project for a child only, because we’d been able to study the materials left behind by Eve of the people of Adam.

We could suggest a few improvements, and they’d be able create a spaceship capable of a slow journey from Earth to Mars and back. Meanwhile, we were in the process of creating a spaceship capable of freely traveling through the solar system of G-88.

“That would put us on the level of allied nations. No, it would give us an even stronger relationship.”

President Shumsky appeared to be thinking hard about something. This may have been the most difficult decision he ever made during his long career as a politician.

Perhaps unconsciously, he loosened his tie with his right hand and drank his glass dry. Meanwhile, I added some milk to my tea and calmly stirred it.

“Very well,” he said at last. “The Russian Federation would like to enter into a formal pact of friendship with Noa. Are you familiar with the Warsaw Pact that our nation once entered into?”

“I know it well. It’s more formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.”

“That’s right. We could recreate it in the form of the Hakone Pact. I will offer you the support of the Federation and all of its allies.”

“I appreciate you making such a bold decision,” I said.

Incredible! This will give us the power to fight against even New World! I never thought we could establish such a friendly relationship! This makes me a little reluctant to hand over materials full of misleading information. Perhaps we could capture several hostile life forms from G-88 and deliver them to Russia. We could say that a gargoyle was a failed experiment, and based on their appearance, the Russians might believe us. And maybe we’ll make their spaceship a little more powerful.

“Let’s return to the original topic,” said the Russian president. “In the initial stages of the attack on the Antarctic, what would you have us do?”

“Ah, yes. Please have half of your National Security Unit gather in Vladivostok. Once they’ve gathered, our krakens equipped with human transport containers will come ashore. The National Security Unit will then remain on standby offshore near Academy City.”

“But entering Japanese territory is... Okay, I understand. I will contact you again after we have done so.”

“Thank you. I will await your response.”

Once the call ended, I began drinking my tea.

Next, I need to talk with Ms. Yamamoto from the technology academy. I wonder what happened to make her want to come here to speak with me. I’ve been wanting to ask her how Kouki is doing at the academy anyway, so it’s good timing.

I was rubbing my sore back muscles that had stiffened during the discussion with the president. Then there was a knock at the door.

That’s odd. I wasn’t expecting Ms. Yamamoto for another hour.

“Come in,” I said.

“Is now a good time?”

It was Shuuichi who appeared. He must have just returned from Noa Island. He had a faint smell of gunpowder about him.

“As long as it won’t take longer than thirty minutes...”

“I’d like for some of our forces to descend on an inland region of Antarctica. We’ll need a high-altitude stealth jet. Can you prepare one for us?”

“We have a suitable prototype. It can fly higher than the Karman line.”

Suddenly I realized: Shuuichi probably doesn’t know what the Karman line is. I’m glad I have a husband whose bravery I can always count on, but his intelligence has always been his weak point.

Shuuichi’s response was more or less what I expected: “Sorry, Miki. You’ll have to dumb it down a little so I can understand.”

“Ordinary aircraft fly between an altitude of 15,000 meters and 20,000 meters in a region known as the troposphere,” I said. “The high-altitude spy planes that you’ve flown in can reach a maximum altitude of just over 25,000 meters. That region is the stratosphere, and it extends up to 50,000 meters. Have you heard of the stratosphere?”

“Yes.”

“Above that, extending to an altitude of 85,000 meters is a region known as the mesosphere. The Karman line is above even that: an altitude of 100,000 meters. Basically, it’s a line 100 kilometers above the Earth.”

“That’s space, right?”

“Exactly. Definitions vary, but it’s not incorrect to say that everything above the Karman line is in space. The prototype jet X-55 is a stealth jet that flies an altitude of 130,000 meters at a speed of over Mach 9, which is 12,000 kilometers per hour, using rocket engines.”

“Wouldn’t it be detected by satellites and space debris radar?” Shuuichi asked.

“Oh? I didn’t think you’d know about debris radar. It’s a stealth jet, so it won’t be detected. It has optical camouflage to prevent it from being sighted by satellites. When descending from altitude, it will be mistaken for a meteor if it has a stealth reinforced exoskeleton equipped. The only problem is—”

I would normally enjoy explaining the design, but remembering the reality made me trail off.

That’s right. It has a huge flaw...

Shuuichi understood what I was feeling, and looked at me sympathetically. “I realize it’s dangerous for the crew, but—”

“Huh? No, it’s not that. I’d never design something with that kind of deficiency. The problem is that the fuselage needs to have such a specific shape that we can’t fit any landing parts to it. In other words, once it takes off, all it can do is fly until out of fuel and then crash. And the X-55 is very, very expensive! Put simply, it’s worth as much as a dozen copies of Kouki’s fully equipped eighth-generation powered suit.”

That’s right... I was so focused on improving performance that the X-55 turned into an incredibly expensive disposable transport jet that’s twelve times more expensive than Kouki’s own suit, using up roughly three percent of Noa’s annual budget. Just the thought of using the aircraft makes my stomach hurt... but if we don’t use it, then it was a total waste to create it in the first place.

“Mass production would bring the cost down somewhat,” I said. “But we didn’t see any purpose for it other than data gathering purposes, so we only made one. You might as well make use of it.”

“Lately I’ve been thinking, could Kouki’s tendency to do so many crazy things be something he learned from you?” Shuuichi said. “I mean, take this aircraft that can’t land once it takes off, for example. It’s basically just a missile.”

Shuuichi can be so annoying at times! It was only meant to be a prototype aircraft! A human can fly in it, so I’m calling it an aircraft. I wish he’d leave me alone now that he’s asked what he needed to. I’ve got work to do.

“Don’t look at me like that...” he said. “I have more to ask you.”

“What is it?” I demanded.

“I want to borrow an Alice-type land battleship. The amphibious battleship Miki would be ideal. Once the remodeling is finished.”

The remodeled Alice-type amphibious battleship Miki weighed approximately 8,000 tons, was 420 meters long, 50 meters wide, and 35 meters high. It was fitted with four tri-axial 26-inch cannons. All 40 of the vertical launch system missile launchers that it had used before the remodel had now been removed, and in their place, there were thirty 20-millimeter railguns.

What’s more, there were three field-reversed fusion reactors aboard to supply the high amount of electrical energy required by the railgun shells and to support management facilities for overall command of Noa’s forces.

To put it simply, not only could this single ship take on the entire English navy, depending on the circumstances, this one ship might have the power to completely overpower the English navy.

Shuuichi thought Kouki’s tendency to do so many crazy things could be something he learned from me. But I suspect it stems from Shuuichi borrowing weapons like this one!

“Are you trying to wipe Antarctica off the map?” I asked incredulously.

“No. That’s not it. I thought of a good way to make use of it while we were talking. That’s why I want to get permission right away.”

“Fine. Take it. Just remember that if you fire the main cannons at New World’s non-combatants, such as their researchers, I’ll divorce you.”

“I’m not that stupid. Though I might threaten to shoot at them. I’m heading back to G-88. Send a messenger for me if you need anything.”

Shuuichi must have been pleased to have the chance to use our latest battleship. I sighed as I watched him leave the room with a grin on his face, and then I turned to Elise.

“Would you like me to make some more tea?” she asked. “And we might want to give Ms. Yamamoto some cake...”

“In that case, please have some cheesecake and strawberry shortcake ready. I’m sure she likes sweet things. Could you also prepare some small snacks for her?”

While Elise was preparing things in the room’s adjoining kitchen, I adjusted my makeup a little.

I really should apologize to Ms. Yamamoto. Other countries will learn about our use of biological weapons in the attack on Antarctica, so she’ll be placed under some pressure from the United Nations. And she was always taking good care of my son. I should find some way to thank her.

“The materials gathered by the intelligence department said she was...”

I opened a desk drawer and picked out a file labeled “Kaori Yamamoto” from the large number of documents inside. I read through the notes on the file.

I see. She likes cars... It seems she most likes high-class cars that are considered classic cars.

It wasn’t an interest that I understood at all, but I remembered something I’d seen in a Quartet Corp catalogue. That company was pleased that I’d purchased so many of their powered suit components, and they’d offered to give me one of their cars as a gift in return.

That’s perfect. I’ll have Ms. Yamamoto select one, and I’ll give it to her.

“Miki, Ms. Yamamoto is here to see you,” Elise said.

“Oh. Okay. Please bring out the appetizers.”

I was startled at Elise’s sudden words, but I composed myself and then moved over to a seat in the meeting area before sitting down.

About two minutes later, Ms. Yamamoto entered the room. Something seemed to be weighing on her mind.

“Long time no see, Principal Yamamoto,” I said. “Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“Long time no see,” she said. “I thought the United Nations would have contacted you last night. I’ve been asked to resign from my position as principal of the International Science and Technology Academy.”

But why?! How could they? There must be some reason for this!

“It must be because of my son. Was this because he surfaced near Academy City in a submarine belonging to the Russian navy?”

“Yes. But don’t get me wrong, I realize that Kouki wasn’t at fault. I don’t know the details of the incident, but I heard that his life was in danger and he did what he needed to survive. However, there are those who dislike the idea of me being principal, and they put pressure on the United Nations behind the scenes. It was decided that my managerial abilities are insufficient.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth!” I said furiously. “It’s thanks to you that my son was able to make good friends, and his experiences working with others at the academy have helped him mature. I must make sure I properly express this to the United Nations in a future report!”

What are they thinking?! No one could manage the academy better than she’s done. I’ll contact the committee right away and ask them to stop her dismissal.

Ms. Yamamoto stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry. You’re unexpectedly straightforward about all this, Mrs. Arakawa. I don’t think you should complain to the committee on my behalf. People would just think you were defending your son and trying to keep your preferred principal in place. It would damage your reputation.”

“But what about your reputation? What education authority will employ you after hearing that you were dismissed by order of the United Nations?!”

“I don’t mind. My job is to take care of my students. My job isn’t to take care of my own reputation. I do hate to leave when there’s so much more I hoped to accomplish, but I’d rather go quietly. Fortunately, I have savings and I can make a living as an independent home tutor.” Ms. Yamamoto smiled faintly as she talked about her choice to resign as principal.

Just at that moment, I received a message on my personal terminal. The message said that Principal Kaori Yamamoto would be replaced on the first day of next month.

So be it! In that case, I have an idea of my own. I won’t sit back and watch an exceptional teacher be reduced to the level of a small-time home tutor.

“I’ve just now been informed,” I said. “By the way, you said you intended to work as a home tutor. Have you accepted a work assignment yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Then I have a proposal. Come work for Noa and serve as the home tutor of the children living here.”

“By the children living here, you must mean Kouki and Alice? And I suppose Shingo and Aikawa?”

“That’s right. In several years, they’ll have a major influence on this world. I’d like you to teach them how to be responsible researchers, for their own sake.”

“I’d be delighted. However, I expect there are others more suited to this task.”

“The truth is, there’s more to it. Unfortunately, it’s highly classified information, so you must promise not to make what I tell you public. I’m sure what I have to say will interest you.”

“I understand. I can’t promise to accept, but I won’t share what you tell me with anyone else.”

Materials from the intelligence department said that Ms. Yamamoto was highly trustworthy. I felt confident that I could tell her about the project I had in mind.

I produced a paper file labeled with the words “Bologna Project” from the drawer and handed it to her. The project had been named after Bologna University, the oldest university in the world. The aim was to establish a higher education institution on G-88.

We intended to create a massive educational institution in the Merkava Kingdom that would recruit students with no regard for age, sex, race, or nationality. Put simply, the idea was to recreate the International Technology Academy in another world, but on a much greater scale.

There were currently 1,600 students enrolled in the university, but the Bologna Project would gradually increase this number, until we created an enormous university with tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of students.

“But...” She looked shocked. “This can’t...”

“I know it’s a lot to take in at once, but I think we can raise the bar and surpass the technology academy. Academy City owes its status as a city to the presence of the technology academy. Someday, the place where we pursue the Bologna Project may come to be known as Academy Nation. I’d like for you to serve as the first principal of that academy.”

“I’d be the first principal?”

“That’s right. I believe this is a good opportunity for you. But please, help yourself to tea and some cake.”

I’d completely forgotten that we’d prepared tea and food. I offered the tea to her, but Ms. Yamamoto remained focused on the documents in front of her.

As an educator, this must all be very exciting to her.

“I have a question,” she said. “It says here that Noa will provide the funding, but does this just refer to scholarships? Or does this include maintaining facilities and supplying experimental materials?”

“Everything will be provided,” I said. “In truth, Noa, Merkava, and Ursna will all make financial contributions. Over time, we’ll also encourage other nations to make financial contributions of their own.”

“This world appears to be an aristocracy. What about those who attempt to use their social status to enter the academy without passing entrance exams? Would they be refused admission?”

“Of course. Though we must make some considerations for my son, so there will be some exceptions.”

“...Very well. If you think I’m qualified, then I’d like to offer you my services.”

That’s a relief. This may be the greatest achievement I’ve made today. If I can entrust this project to Ms. Yamamoto, I can consider the project to be halfway to success already.

Next, I need to get the political department involved so we can work out the details with Merkava and Ursna. Then we can begin constructing the actual academy. This is going to be fun! I can’t even imagine what new technological fields we might create.

“I was hoping to give you a little something to congratulate you on this appointment,” I said. “And also to thank you for taking good care of my son. Am I right in thinking that you like classic cars? If you like, you can choose one of these cars and I can have it provided to you.”

I handed her the catalogue, and she looked through it excitedly.

“Wow!” she cried. “These are classic Quartet models! How did you get hold of this catalogue? Can I really choose any I like?! I’d cry if you changed your mind now!”

Elise was watching Ms. Yamamoto with surprise. A moment ago she’d seemed like a solemn educator, but now her refined demeanor was gone without a trace. She began to hum to herself as she enjoyed the cake and browsed through the catalogue.

I’ve got so much more to do today. I really hope she doesn’t want to stay here in my office for too long.

**

Kouki Arakawa’s Point of View

“I’m worn out...” I murmured.

“Kon...”

In the joint training performed with the Multi-Race Coalition Force this morning, Noa’s ground forces had gone through hell trying to survive an all-out assault from the air, and somehow they’d earned a passing grade from Clare. Now, everyone was exhausted.

Without meaning to, Kon and I drifted off to sleep in the officers’ lounge on Noa Island without having eaten anything.

“Buh hee!” Shingo cried when he found us.

“What’s up?” I asked him. “It’s not like you to get dressed up and come out all this way.”

Shingo was wearing a brigadier general’s uniform. It had been provided for him to use just in case he ever needed it. No one expected him to take part in battle, but he needed a high rank to be able to get into the research areas.

“I’m here to see the Type 0 suit! The whole thing has been kept secret. I knew it existed, but I didn’t get to see it. Now that its classification level has been lowered, I thought I’d come take a look.”

“That explains that.”

What my friend was saying sounded plausible, but I doubted he would have left the internet to come to G-88 just for that reason. Aikawa was going to be attending a G-88 space exploration strategy conference today, but even that didn’t fully explain it. Something had to be up. Why was he here creeping me out by staring at me with upturned eyes?

“Shingo, I’m sure Alice and Aikawa find that face cute, but to me it’s just creepy,” I said. “Let me guess. You want Satanachia?”

“Huuhh?! No... I... it’s... ah...”

“What language are you talking? I hope you realize they’ll be removing the flight unit. If you want it to fly, you’ll have to fit our prototype to it. I’m also guessing that the weapon control unit that my dad’s unit fitted to it will be removed. And the weapons too, obviously.”

No matter how kind my mom might be, there’s no way she’d give someone the eighth-generation suit Satanachia with all the military-grade weapons still installed. I’m not sure she’ll even want to hand over the frame, so the armor might be reverted back two generations to sixth-generation armor. Considering the current state of the world, it’s still cutting-edge equipment.

“Can I really have it?” Shingo asked hopefully.

“Sure. I have the Type 0 suit. But in exchange, I want you to help me come up with a name for the Type 0.”

“Why not just give it another demon name like Satanachia?”

I do like demon names, but Alice will be with me this time, so I’d prefer something different. But I haven’t been able to think of any other ideas, so now I’m stuck. In Russia, names of natural phenomena like Mirage, Storm, and Lightning are popular, while Japanese powered suits tend to be named after mountains like Fuji, Tsurugi, and Hiuchi. Everything here at Noa tends to get named using numbers, and that gets boring.

“Okay. How about a monster from Japanese myths?” he said.

“Something like Yamata no Orochi or Kagutsuchi? Those names sound cool, but they don’t suit Alice. I doubt Kon would like them, either. Would you? You’re a girl, after all.”

Kon was on the table and was having no trouble drinking vegetable juice through a straw. She gave a slow flick of her tail in response. Sure enough, she didn’t seem to like the idea.

“Well, what about the name of an angel? I’m sure Alice and Kon would both be happy with an angel’s name.”

“That’s a good idea! We could consider names of female goddesses, too.”

Kon used her magic to create a message explaining why this was a bad idea: “There are many within the multi-race coalition who tell tales of battles fought against the angels from these myths. I doubt they’d be pleased with such a name.”

I think some members of the spirit race have passed down stories like that for several generations, I remembered. Well, that rules out angels... Now I’m really stuck.

“What about Alice? Have you tried asking her?” Shingo suggested.

“My mom called for her after midday training finished. She’s stuck in the medical ward this afternoon so they can check what effects the equipment might have had on her brain. She also said that I could choose the name myself.”

“Right. Megu is busy working today, so I can’t ask her, either.”

Megu?! He’s started calling Aikawa Megu now?! I’m going to punch him! Lately, I’ve been too busy to get to know Alice better. Meanwhile, he’s messing around with Aikawa the whole time?!

“Sounds like you two are getting along great, you dirty rat,” I growled. “How far have you actually gone?”

“Buh hee?! You sound abusive all of a sudden... Lately, Megu’s been spending all of her time on the Manned Platform Project to launch a satellite into orbit around G-88. Something like that wouldn’t be possible back on Earth. Keep this to yourself, but I heard she’s busy with some sort of outer space childbirth project.”

“Wait, you mean...”

“Yeah. There were some experiments that she heard about back on Earth that she wants to try out here. This is happening with the consent of a married couple of researchers who are acting as test subjects. And if anything goes wrong, there are people ready to use healing magic. I’m more interested in the ‘equipment’ belonging to the members of Chernobog you brought back.”

“Some of them are part machine, aren’t they?”

“Yeah. Those people also want to do some things that would violate pacts on Earth. Too many people think they can do whatever they want now that pacts don’t apply to us. It caused some trouble when one of them was grumbling about wanting to have a chainsaw installed within their arm.”

I thought Macho Man’s unit just did whatever they wanted, but Chernobog is on another level... I reflected. I mean, just recently, a group of Chernobog members caused some trouble in the Merkava Kingdom, and the captain had to beat them senseless.

I told Shingo about it, and he nervously asked me what they’d done to deserve that.

“A while back, a horde of monsters appeared in an area where Noa was responsible for maintaining public order. A fast carriage was sent out with a message from one of the villages nearby, and then the members of Chernobog led an assault...”

“Buh hee, don’t you mean a defense?”

“No, it was more than just defense. They headed out with armored personnel carriers equipped with 20-millimeter autocannons! When they reached the village, they wiped out all of the monsters while shouting things like, ‘Hyahaa! Stay back you pathetic weaklings. Leave the monsters to us!’”

“That’s overdoing it a little, but I’m sure they meant well.”

“The problem is what happened next. They could have just finished the job and gone home, but instead they took the personnel carrier to a nearby post station town to have a drink. And they didn’t just carry weapons for self-defense; they took all of their heavy weaponry with them, still loaded with live ammo.”

Their guns all used biological authentication systems to prevent anyone else from using them, but that had still caused a lot of trouble.

In fact, the whole reason we’d started using authentication systems in the first place was because some members from Macho Man’s unit had allowed a mage from the Ursna Empire to try out their weapons without authorization.

I imagined that a good-looking female mage had asked if she could try firing just two or three rounds, or something stupid like that.

“But still, they’re well-liked,” I went on. “Whoever defeats a monster can use the monster parts however they like, and they sold all those for drink money and then packed what was left over into bags to give to an orphanage and a church. They were trying to be discreet, but it was obvious who’d done it.”

Back on Earth, I’m sure no one would have realized. But here on G-88, the only people who use military backpacks made of synthetic fibers are members of Noa. Packing backpacks full of gold and silver coins along with a few copper coins received from shops as change made it a little obvious. That’s why probably the captain beat them senseless and kept them in the detention barracks for five days.

While thinking about how shy that unit could be, I suddenly thought of a name. “Shingo, what do you think of ‘Lycoris’?”

“What? That’s a sudden change in subject.”

“I’m talking about the name of the Type 0! Lycoris, as in the red spider lily.”

“That’s a good name! Those flowers are striking and beautiful, and they’re considered ominous, so considering the enemy’s point of view, it’s a great name for a combat-use powered suit. What do you think, Kon?”

“Kon! Kyuu!”

Kon seemed to like it, too.

I liked the way lycoris flowers looked, but that wasn’t my only reason for choosing that name. In the language of flowers, a red spider lily means, “You are all I think about.” I’ve chosen that with Alice in mind.

But there was another reason, too. The red spider lily could have another meaning: reincarnation.

That second meaning made me feel as though the name was just right for me.