Editing Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden:Volume 5 Chapter2 (section)

===Part 3===

Room number 700, [Asterhythm].

The instant she opened the room door that was decorated with the hotel’s name, a gentle breeze with the sweet and sour scent of citrus fruits wafted over her hair.

“……It’s strange.”

Standing in the center of the living room large enough to play tag in, Ymy once again looked over the room she had been gestured to.

……Even though she was in the room.

……There was a gentle breeze blowing and she could hear the chirps of the island. It was just like──

“Ama─zing! It’s like being in the middle of a huge plain!”

Ishtar who tossed aside the luggage she was holding had her eyes sparkling.

“Say, say, what’s going on, Yuragi-chan!?”

“The gentle breeze is being mimicked through cutting-edge air conditioning settings. The sound of the island is genuine and comes from a parabolic reflector device set up on the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}. Also, the ceiling can be made to open and close, becoming a glass dome when open. I believe it is the best room to appreciate a full view of the starry sky.”

The secretary pointed at the ceiling with a shining chandelier.

“Oh─! That’s why it’s on the top floor of the airport?”

“Yes. That’s the selling point of this hotel. Does it meet your fancy as well, Ymy-sama?”

“……It’s amazing.”

The Priestesses’ private rooms at {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} were also made with comfort in mind but she felt that this room was also wonderful from the bottom of her heart.

……When it becomes night, the sky becomes really beautiful.

“Oh my, oh my, Ymy-sama? Your face is so─mehow grinning broadly─?”

“Heh?……Th-that’s not true!”

“Ahaha, it was a joke, a joke. Now then, Yuragi-chan, it’s about time for a serious chat, isn’t it?”

Holding the spear wrapped in cloth under her arm, Ishtar walked to the wall.

“……A serious chat?”

“That’s right. I should tell you soon. First of all, Ymy-sama, concerning my introduction earlier.”

Yuragi pulled out a white card from the breast pocket of her suit. It was a business card that used ink which would only react to reveal color under special lighting.

“Governmental Sector, first sector, administration department, general affairs division as well as {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} [Independent] special duties agency, Yuragi A Sohma. For six days starting today, I will be providing support on Ymy-sama’s special mission.”

“…………”

“Is there something?”

“N-no!……It’s the first time I’ve spoken with someone from the special duties agency so I was a little surprised.”

Ymy waved her hands in a panic at Yuragi’s extremely deep bow.

The special duties agency was not affiliated with any bureau of {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}. Starting with the Governmental Sector, she’d heard that they gathered information in various places. Meimel had told her that her senior Priestesses knew but it was her first time meeting them.

“If I were to say, it’s far more nerve-wracking for a person to talk to the Priestess-sama like this.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes, but I’m glad. If I compare Ymy-sama with the other Priestesses, it somehow……feels like you’re not above us but a lot closer.”

Yuragi smiled with her hand to her lips.

“Well then, let’s move on to the main topic──”

“Ah……wa-wait! Umm……well……having that conversation here”

Sitting down on the living room sofa, Ymy looked around her.

This was already the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} that the Governmental Sector monitored. What’s more, this hotel was directly linked to the Governmental Sector. It was the same for Yuragi herself; wouldn’t having a conversation related to {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} here be bad?

“Umm, well, see……someone could be listening in or something.”

“I checked this morning for the presence of listening devices in this room. Additionally, I brought along jamming equipment, so please be at ease. ……Well, that took a while so I ended up being late in greeting you today.”

Yuragi stood in the center of the living room with her hands spread.

“From today onwards for six days, think of this room as the {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace side's|our}} command center. Bear in mind that the business meetings for the assembly that starts tomorrow as well as conversations about secrets regarding the tower should not be conducted outside of this room. Of course, secrets about the Governmental Sector as well.”

“……Yes.”

Faced with that sharp gaze behind those glasses, she nodded greatly.

“Thank you very much. So I say but I believe there won’t be many opportunities to have those discussions so Ymy-sama shouldn’t worry about it either.”

Yuragi who’d sat in a chair softened her tone with a smile.

“……Is that so?”

“There are all kinds of expectations mixed into this assembly but the bargains on that end are for the General Affairs Bureau Chief to handle. Ymy-sama’s job is not negotiations but to flaunt your status as a guardian of the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}. That will become a heavy pressure on the Governmental Sector more than anything else.”

“Fl-flaunt……?”

She held back the impulse to draw away.

“Ymy-sama〜?”

The feeling of her cheek being poked with a finger. Ishtar who was supposed to have moved to the wall had sat beside her at some point in time.

“Ymy-sama, you’re bad at being ‘Priestess-like’, aren’t you〜?”

“……Eh……ah, umm, a little.”

While casting her gaze down at the carpet underfoot, she replied normally. A novice Priestess like her conducted training from morning to night every day. The dazzling image she was given was out of the question.

“First of all, for the good will meeting tonight, this hotel’s hall has been reserved for a dinner party. You will also meet the Governmental Sector’s important officers there for the first time.”

“……Being absent from my stomach hurting because of nervousness……isn’t allowed, is it?”

“It’s not.”

She was refused with a smile.

“Say─ say─, Yuragi-chan? That good will meeting is still hours away, isn’t it. What will Ymy-sama do until then? What are the plans─?”

“Touring.”

The secretary pulled out an electronic notebook in response to Ishtar’s interjection.

“I shall guide you through the central part of the island. It is the best way to learn about the Governmental Sector’s rule.”

“……An inspection?”

“There is also that meaning to it, but it’s fine if you just go with the intention to sightsee. I will guide you through a place with many carts and food stalls, so I believe it will be enjoyable.”

“Ah……I see! Meimel said to go because it would be fun.”

“Meimel-sama has come to the Governmental Sector secretly. During that time as well, she was mostly under my care.”

Meimel did?……I didn’t know.

I’d heard that this was the first time a Priestess was publicly visiting the Governmental Sector though.

“Then shall we head out?”

“Ah, please wait a little. Ymy-sama?”

While looking at the electronic notebook, Yuragi pointed at her travel bag.

“Before that, may I have you change your clothes?”

.