Editing Amaryllis in the Ice Country:Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 3===

All the other members are already present the moment we enter the Chief’s room.

The ‘head’, Village Chief Chamomile, is on the table, with the ‘mechanic’ Viscaria beside him. Seated by the side is Götz, dubbed the ‘iron arm’.

“Are you both fine?”

Götz raises his massive trunk-like right arm, cheerfully greeting us.

“Yes, we are.”

“Then, good.”

He has a tendency to end off his lines formally, as though it is a play, probably because he was originally a performance type robot, and rid himself of the artificial skin on his face to be able to portray all kinds of characters on the stage. Thus, the only parts left of his expression are the wrinkles between his eyebrows and the smile on his lips, and even as he was just sitting there normally, he seems a little terrifying. This masked man has a mask on, and as he’s dressed in a black collared suit, he looks like a mannequin dressed in a soldier uniform, giving off a really surreal vibe.

“Sorry, we’re late.”

“No, no. I would say that I have just arrived.”

Götz nods away with a stoic look. He may look scary on first glance, but he’s actually a kind person. The five of us, including him, are the ‘Senator’.

Anyway, the Senators here refer to the members of the ‘Committee’. There are basically two kinds of decision making bodies in the city. Things like changes in issuing supplies, treatment schedule and performances for the prayer programme will be decided by the ‘Committee’. In contrast, if it’s a big issue that can affect the future of the villagers, it will be decided by a ‘Village Meeting’ where everyone is involved.

“There’s no special reason to organize this meeting. Simply about the earthquake from just now.”

The chief raised the topic. That head rolls down the down.

“First, let’s have a look at this. –The Birdmap.”

In response to that voice, a faint light is given off from the table before us, and a map shows something resembling an ant hive. This is the ‘Birdmap’ that shows the entire village.

“Ah!”

This loud cry comes from Viscaria.

“The ‘right wing’ got blocked.”

“Yes.”

All of us look over at the map in unison. There’s a red light flickering on the path leading to the ‘right wing’. This is the signal indicating a problem.

Out of habit, we describe the appearance of the village as a ‘bird’. The center of the map is called the ‘body’, the core area with 80% of the villagers living here. In the 4 areas around the ‘body’, there are six sections gathered around it, the ‘head’, ‘tail’, ‘right wing’, ‘left wing’, ‘right foot’ and ‘left foot’. In any case, the ‘Snow White’ masters sleep in are located in the ‘head’, and right now, we’re in the center of the ‘body’, the village hall. The reason why there are so many areas isn’t simply because the ‘body’ isn’t big enough to contain everyone, but also to avoid the risk of complete annihilation of the villagers in case of a cave-in.

The area indicated by the blinking red light is one of the separate areas, a residential space called the ‘right wing’. This is the place where Viscaria came to deliver supplies the previous day.

“Is it sealed off? What about the bypass routes?”

I ask, “No can do.” and the village head just rolls about as he answers.

“Leaving aside the route leading directly to the body, the bypass route from the right foot is completely blocked off.”

“Do we have contact with the right wing?”

“Cattleya just gave a report. We have some young who are injured, but everything’s fine after some treatment.”

“Really? Thank goodness…”

For the time being, I heave a sigh of relief.

“What was that about? Just a cave in?” Eisbahn grumbles, putting his legs on the table. “Hasn’t those been happening recently? Can I go back now?”

“Hey, be serious.”

“But it’s troublesome.”

“Don’t you have a sense of responsibility?”

“I might consider if you spend a night together with me.”

Eisbahn’s bares his teeth, showing a glint as he waves his hand over his golden slick hair. This guy’s hopeless.

“To help each other in times of difficulty…this is the teachings of our masters.”

Götz notes with a serious look, “You’re noisy, shut up.” Eisbahn glares back.

“This is just me stating principles.”

“Always yapping away non-stop, shut up already, you bastard.”

Eisbahn’s glares with his blue eyes, and Götz’s silver mask gives a grim look. It’s common for the hardboiled faction’s Götz and the flirty faction’s Eisbahn to clash.

“—Back on point!”

Chief hastily cuts off the conversation, attempting to get back on point. This strange forceful habit shows up all the time.

“Anyway, we need to make sure the cut-off routes are back to normal. If batteries and supplies are not provided, lives will be affected…Viscaria?”

“What is it…?”

Viscaria has been scratching her head, staring at the Birdmap the entire time.

“As the lead mechanic, what do you think of this?”

“I think…”

Viscaria answers while she continues looking, “I think we should try to attack the ‘bypass route’.”

“Huh? Isn’t the ‘direct route’ closer?”

I raise this question that naturally comes. The routes leading the ‘body’ and the ‘scattered areas’ are called the ‘direct routes’, the main routes leading to the village. Conversely, the paths linked everywhere are called ‘bypass routes’, narrow and only used for assistance.

“Of course I want to use the direct route…”

Viscaria operates the control panel by her hand, and switches the screen.

“As you can see, the direct route leading to the right wing is very close to the energy cables of the ‘Snow White’. If we have to remove the ice through explosions and melting them, we need to be thoroughly careful in consideration how it will affect the ‘Snow White’. In contrast—”

Viscaria again switches to another screen.

“On the other hand, there isn’t any facility around the bypass route between the ‘right foot’ and the ‘right leg’, so there’s no problems with any violent works. As the lead mechanic, I do recommend this option.”

“I see.”

I agree with her explanation, and summarizes everything. We can’t let the meeting drag on for too long.

“I agree with Viscaria’s proposal to repair the bypass route. We can leave the direct route repair for later…what do you think?”

“This side agrees.”

Götz nods. “I’d say that I agree.” Chief too.

“…Well, since Viscaria says so, I don’t mind.”

Eisbahn puts his legs down from the table, look unenthused as his neck lets out a creak.

“Then it’s decided!”

I stand up, and look around at everyone.

“We’ll be leaving in 30 minutes. Everyone, gather at the south east opening once you’re done with preparations! Don’t be late!”