Editing Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden:Volume 5 Chapter3 (section)

===Part 5===

Room 700, [Asterhythm].

Under the artificial sunlight’s shine was a table surrounded by three women. None of them made to speak and each of their expressions was almost like a contrast to the other two.

The Cadres Guard smiled with her head propped up in her hands.

The bespectacled secretary was looking down at the notebook in her hands basically expressionless.

The Priestess in the center of those two ── Ymy was biting her lip and staring at Ishtar.

“……Could I get you to explain it once more from the start?”

“That’s fine─, Ishtar went a little too fast earlier as well.”

The Elite Guard deepened her smile.

“As Ymy-sama said earlier, there is a clear discrepancy in what each side is saying. First, what {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} demanded an explanation for was ‘''We’d like to have an explanation as to what a research facility of unknown purpose was doing on an uncharted part of the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}.''‘, right?”

“……It’s as I said earlier.”

The Governmental Sector did not deny the existence of the research facility either.

However, their assertion was that it was a research facility for the purpose of testing the soil quality of the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}. They said that it had been abandoned long ago and fallen out of use. They stated there was no obligation to map an abandoned research facility so it had been removed from the record.

──They kept to the point of not knowing about the Yuugenshu breeding water tank.

“That’s right─. And what was the Governmental Sector seeking……umm.”

“It was about {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s emergency landing on that {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}. As well as an explanation for the recent unauthorized landings by a {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} airship here.”

Yuragi said as she eyed through the record of the proceedings.

“Ahh, right, right. And well, we’ve honestly apologized about the unauthorized landing on the island that started this all. But the other half can’t be agreed upon. Our airships haven’t had an unauthorized landing in several years besides this incident. Right, Ymy-sama?”

“……Yeah.”

Even if they had intruded on Governmental Sector airspace with some objective in mind, if it was at a level that would sow discord with the Governmental Sector, then it would definitely be reported to a Priestess.

“That’s right. The Priestess-sama doesn’t know and Ishtar hasn’t heard anything like that as well. I think this is a fabrication. It’s just that the Governmental Sector doesn’t care if it stays at that.”

“The facility that was on the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}……they’re able to make it vague?”

“That’s right, it would be bad if they keep that topic consistent over the four day period of this assembly.”

Ishtar smiled while still leaning on her hands over the table.

“Ymy-sama has absolute authority concerning Yuugenshu as a Priestess. However, unless the talks advance to the crucial Yuugenshu, no matter how much you sit at the meetings, you won’t become a threat to the Governmental Sector. That’s why at the very least, ‘The Governmental Sector created the Yuugenshu breeding water tank.’ ── the talks must proceed at least this far or Ymy-sama won’t have a chance to make a move.”

“I……have the intention of that but”

But it can’t be helped, can it. Even if {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} wants to advance the talks from that direction, the Governmental Sector is obstinately denying it.

“That’s right. Then here’s the real issue that leads into. Okay? The plan Ishtar’s thinking of is as I said before. There’s only one aim, in other words,”

.

──An infiltration into the Governmental Sector’s central division.

.

“If we receive Yuragi-chan’s help, an infiltration is possible. We’ll obtain the observation records for the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} that has become a problem. The point is that we’ll thrust evidence at the Governmental Sector. Irrefutable evidence, that is.”

“That’s no good!”

She put power into the hands atop her lap.

“That kind of dangerous action……I won’t allow it! There’s no way you can make it to the deepest part division of the Governmental Sector with that kind of improvised”

“We will proceed.”

Yuragi stared at one point on the notebook.

“Putting aside whether I agree with Ishtar’s plan or not, I can search for digital information with my authority. However, that data has a limit to how much we can trust it. There isn’t a reason for the Governmental Sector to leave correct records so a falsification like ‘Concerning the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}, there is no history of a Yuugenshu breeding tank experiment’ is highly possible.”

“In that case……even more so. There will be no reckless invading!”

If the information she had tired herself out for were the truth, it would pay off. But if the information obtained after braving such risks were fake, it would be terrible.

“Now, now, Ymy-sama. Yuragi-chan only said that the digital records were fake, you know─? '''What if there were records left about the floating archipelago other than the digital information'''─”

Other than the digital information.

Paper……? Or a sound recording?

No, regardless of which, there was a possibility that the contents were fake. It wouldn’t be strange if all the documents concerning that {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} were rewritten.

“As Ishtar-sama said, what we are seeking is eternal information. Absolutely unmodifiable and undestroyable, an objective and absolute truth……if you’re thrusting it at the Governmental Sector, nothing else will work.”

“That kind of thing──”

.

“……’''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''‘.”

.

Yuragi’s words were made with an unusually strong tone that shook the air.

“I also haven’t seen the actual thing but it is the Governmental Sector’s secret treasure. With a gigantic crystal manufactured ages ago, within the time period of hundreds of years, it has recorded every event that happened on the ̣̪{{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}} and the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}. It seems it’s a system application of territory-type shinryoku techniques or something.”

“Mikuva’s Crimson Eye……you’re kidding. Does that really exist?”

A crystal with a shinryoku technique applied.

When Ymy was still an apprentice Priestess, there was a rumor that she heard.

It seemed like there was a treasure known as the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘ that the Governmental Sector was hiding which recorded everything that happened on the  {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}} and the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}. It was information that the spy who had infiltrated the Governmental Sector even before Ymy and Sheltis had even knocked on {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s gate obtained. However, ten years had passed already without her obtaining definite proof.

……I didn’t believe it at all at the time.

……But if that really exists.

“It is information I received very recently from the secretary for the former old parliament’s members.”

“Say, say, Yuragi-chan, Ishtar asked before too but she’ll confirm it once more. Can we really trust in that thing that sounds like a lie? Is it a trustworthy source?”

Yuragi wordlessly nodded to Ishtar who was propped on her hands.

“Yes. I don’t know if its function is as the rumors conveyed to {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} but that a treasure of that name exists can be more or less confirmed. Other than that, there’s nothing else but to conjecture about the truth of the Governmental Sector hiding the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘ from {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

“Ah! But if you try saying it”

Ymy continued from Yuragi’s words as if flowing from them.

──If you think that that exists, then you can also understand the Governmental Sector’s anecdote.

“Does Ishtar-san not know? That '''the Governmental Sector’s technology is three months behind Tenketsu Palace’s''' is a pretty famous story amongst the Priestesses and apprentice Priestesses.”

“Heeh, that might be my first time hearing that─. What do you mean?”

“Umm……this isn’t about the Governmental Sector’s system being slow but it’s an anecdote to the contrary.”

No matter how ground-breaking of a discovery {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} makes in shinryoku research, the Governmental Sector would follow that several months later.

“Like the Priestess’ training methods or the report contents of research results for shinryoku……of course, it’s not everything but included in that are even things treated as secrets; the Governmental Sector would end up at the same discovery……and that happens with a frequency that I can’t imagine to be a coincidence.”

There were also rumors that the shinryoku practitioners in the Governmental Sector were always watching twenty four hours a day. Because of this danger of being seen, truly important experiments and information had a shinryoku barrier erected beforehand.

“Fumu, fumu, if that information were also being gathered via the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘, then it would be understandable. Well, {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} is also like that so it’s not strange if the Governmental Sector possesses something like that.”

Ishtar was nonchalant to the end.

“By the way, recorded every event means……umm, basically, that if we ask that crystal what I’sa-chan is doing right now, we’ll find out?”

“I think so.”

“Oh─!? Ishtar’s also interested in that. Like whether I’sa-chan is properly eating alone, onee-chan is very, very worried───”

“But if you’re not chosen by that crystal, it’s no use.”

“Eh?”

The Cadres Guard blinked.

“That is”

“‘''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''‘ has a condition……to operate it, right?”

Before Yuragi said that, Ymy focused on her.

“……You surprised me. You knew about the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘?”

“Nope. But if it’s a system with shinryoku applied, then I would guess there’s a limitation.”

There are three techniques representative of territory-type shinryoku techniques.

Clairvoyance and far sight as well as telepathy. Each of these had the possibility to capture scenes or sound from a distance.

“For example, in {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}, there is system that uses shinryoku as a key. The tower’s top floor and the door to the room in which Priestesses pray for Hyouketsu Kyoukai won’t allow anybody except for those with a special shinryoku wavelength to pass. I just thought that that giant crystal would require a similar key.”

“I see……then it certainly seems like there’s hope. That giant crystal might also show Ymy-sama the truth.”

Yuragi took off her glasses and sighed with a faint wry smile.

“As Ymy-sama said, ‘''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''‘ will select suitable individuals itself and won’t show anything to anyone else. If we were to go from that──”

“The Governmental Sector also hasn’t found someone perfectly qualified either, you mean?”

That phrase.

Yuragi swallowed and Ishtar raised one eyebrow.

“Say, say, Ymy-sama, why do you know that much?”

“Umm……if I said it simply, it’s because wide area observation with shinryoku is really arduous. No matter how much it uses shinryoku, it’s not like everything is solved.”

Let’s say for example that we’re observing the entirety of the floating continent and detected each and every conversation. Just how extraordinary is that ── Ymy didn’t have the confidence to succeed in that either. If you wanted one hundred percent accuracy then even amongst the Priestesses, there’s probably only Syun-rei.

“For such an amazing crystal, there must also be suitably amazing people or it won’t work.”

“That’s exactly right. The condition for the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘ is still unknown……it is said that something about shinryoku is the key but whether it’s the quantity of shinryoku or wavelength is unknown. There are incompletely suitable individuals but the Governmental Sector hasn’t found a perfectly qualified person yet.”

──Qualified person?

What……what is this feeling that seems like dizziness?

Due to the feeling that also resembled nervousness, her heart’s throbbing wouldn’t settle down.

……Mikuva’s Crimson Eye.

……Records all events……an observation system?

……Mikuva……I feel like I’ve heard that term somewhere else before.

It really was just recently. Is so, then where? From who? It wasn’t someone amongst the Priestesses nor was it Sheltis and she shouldn’t have heard it from one of the tower’s clerks. If so───

.

“''The beginning is a thousand years ago at the illusionary paradise. Now, Ymy Ele Soufflenictole ─── when you have seen the world as it was before Hyouketsu Kyoukai was erected, what will be your impressions?''“

.

……It was that time.

The scene from a thousand years in the past that was shown to her by the woman who identified herself as Tsali.

When I realized it, I was already collapsed in a park I didn’t know the location of. When I fought the Yuugenshu, two girls appeared.

Shasa and Ilis, within the conversation of the girls who called each other these names.

.

“''I’m counting on you, [Machine God Mikuva]-san.''“

“''I believe I have introduced myself as Ilis before?''“

.

……That’s right, the term Mikuva came up at that time.

An instant.

“He─y, Ymy-sama, is something wrooong?”

“Fue? U-umm……i-it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.”

Having her finger grabbed by Ishtar, Ymy finally returned to herself.

“P-please, Yuragi-san, continue!”

“Yes. Or so I’d like to say, but I’ve already everything that I should. What’s left is Ymy-sama’s decision.”

If they could access the crystal treasure, ‘''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''‘, that the Governmental Sector was hiding, the case on the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} would also become clear. She’d heard rumors about that since her time as an apprentice Priestess and Yuragi was also asserting that it existed to that extent so maybe it would be fine to believe it does.

……But the risk is too large.

“That’s illegal infiltration after all, right.”

“Yes. I only have knowledge of the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘……it’s said to be in a place known as the Holy Corridor and the defense system is also a secret. If you’re caught there, you won’t be able to talk your way out of it and you should also be prepared for the relationship between {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} and the Governmental Sector to collapse.”

“One more thing, this is the question I received from Ishtar-sama at noon. ‘Does a fighter with strength rivaling the Sennenshi exist in the Governmental Sector?’ ──I’ll tell you starting from the results, it’s at the level of ‘There are rumors that there are.’ {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} is also has rumors about important things such as whether there’s a sixth Priestess or whether the Queen also has a partner of overwhelming strength like the Sennenshi.”

“Fu─n, then we can say they’re there as rumors?”

“Ishtar-sama……are your a believer of such stories?”

“Rather than believing, Ishtar thinks it’s normal for her.”

Quite easily, the Cadres Guard nodded aloofly.

“Eh? Wh-why do you think that?”

“The basis is……mm─ it’s kinda hard to explain. Well, anyway, she is. This is the truth. Ishtar was thinking it would be a pain if that were at that Holy Corridor place. ……And so at the conclusion of all of that is the thing that Ymy-sama said just now.”

Releasing the bridge formed with both her arms, she pointed her lovely index finger at the ceiling.

“Shall we review it one more time? First we have to try coming into contact with the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘ that the Governmental Sector is hiding. If that succeeds, then it solves everything. The problem is that in the case it fails, it will be bad for Ishtar and Ymy who are amongst the leadership of the tower and possibly even Yuragi-chan. Then what should we do? '''We just have to have an underling that we can use to shirk responsibility go'''.”

“…………”

Beneath the table, Ymy suppressed her shaking fists desperately.

……That’s right, that was it.

……The thing that I can’t permit no matter what.

This person had the intentions of ‘''using''‘ someone from the Cadet Guards as a throwaway pawn.

“And just as well, there are four Cadet Guards traveling with us this time─. As long as we explain the circumstances without difficulty, couldn’t they infiltrate solo? If it succeeds then that’s great and if they’re caught and it becomes a problem, we can say ‘The executives knew nothing and this was our subordinates’ independent action’ to shirk responsibility.”

She bit her lip hard enough to spurt blood.

If not……she would get excited and be unable to keep her calm and would surely lose something dear to her heart. It was because she felt that.

“Would the Priestess-sama order that……?”

She’s asking whether I would tell the Guards who protect me at the tower ‘Go.’ simply because it’s convenient for me.

“'''If Ymy-sama has the intention of continuing on as a Priestess from now, she should make the order'''──”

Ishtar’s verdict was cruel.

“What is the reason in this world for why Ymy-sama forms the barrier with pained feelings?”

There was no need to have it said to her.

It was because the Garden of {{furigana|Corrupted Song|Eden}} and the Yuugenshu that lived there were a threat to the  {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}.

“But you know, Ymy-sama? Not everyone in this world is strong enough to oppose the Yuugenshu like Ishtar and Ymy. '''Everyone is weak'''……if you were to ask Ishtar, I’sa-chan who became a Regular Guard is also too weak. There’s no guarantee that child can win against the Yuugenshu. Even more so for the citizens that live in the Living Districts.”

Gently, gently. With a voice just like a lullaby.

The expression on her face was once again gentle to a point she had never seen before.

“However there is somebody planning something by breeding a Yuugenshu. That absolutely cannot be allowed. After confirming their objective ─── we crush them. There’s no chance but this one, you know?”

With the assembly in motion, Guards had been able to come to the island freely.

Even more so now that the attention was focused on the Priestess, the alertness of the Governmental Sector was rooted to the assembly. If they were going to invade the Governmental Sector’s central division, there would be no second time where such conditions lined up.

……I understand that.

……However.

“My, my, don’t make that brooding face, Ymy-sama. It’s fine, it’s fine, don’t think about what happens after failure; '''it’ll be fine if we just select those with the skill to infiltrate the Governmental Sector'''.”

The Elite Guard waved her hand in a frivolous manner.

“Well then, Ishtar-sama, you would select the most skilled person from Monica-sama’s group……is the normal line of thought, but more concretely who?”

“Nope, I don’t know. That’s why I think it’d be fine if we choose Monica-san──”

“W-wait!”

Ymy interrupted Yuragi and Ishtar’s conversation with a shout. With enough vigor to kick the table in front of her, she stood from her seat.

“Monica-senpa……I don’t want to tell Monica-san that.”

“Whyyyy?”

“……Because”

She bit on the edge of her lower lip.

“If I said that to that person……she would decide to say she would go by herself. She’s the kind of person who will definitely reject something that invites danger to the unit.”

It would be decided that rather than having her comrades do it, she would do it herself. But that was too much. In the one in ten thousand chance she was caught, it was possible she would be detained in the Governmental Sector and unable to return.

“Well, that’s true. Ishtar also feels like she’s that kind of person. But if it’s not her, then who?”

“……That is……”

…………Is there no one else except Monica-senpai?

Someone in that unit with more experience than Monica-senpai and moreover a person I can trust. The person I can definitely trust to make this succeed───

“……Wai……t……please.”

Frantically holding back her shrill voice, Ymy muttered as if coming unbound.

……There is one.

There is an amazing Cadet Guard in that unit. Amongst the Cadet Guards……no, an amazing Guard that wouldn’t lost even to the Sennenshi is there. Even while he was exiled from {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}, the childhood friend that single-handedly ran all the way to the Grand Santuary when Hyouketsu Kyoukai was penetrated by the Great Yuugenshu Invasion──

……Sheltis.

……But can I ask something so dangerous of Sheltis?

Can I ‘order’ my childhood friend as a Priestess?

“…………”

Her dizziness, headache and feverishness all melded into each other within her chest. The room should be air conditioned but her body couldn’t stop trembling.

“……Give me……some time.”

“That’s fine─, but the time limit is tomorrow night.”

Ishtar combed her golden hair behind her with her fingers.

“The target is the final day of the assembly; we will present the ‘''truth''‘ about the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} on the fourth day of the assembly. In that case, it is necessary to access ‘''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''‘ on {{furigana|the third day of the assembly|the day after tomorrow}} and preparations the day before are also needed. If so, then we need to talk about the infiltration job by tomorrow night or it’ll be poor, you know?”

“I……understand.”

……Tomorrow was the limit.

……I have to decide by tomorrow night.

“…………”

“Sorry……could I get some rest?”

Without waiting for answers from the other two, she walked towards the bedroom──

.

While feeling her consciousness growing hazy, Ymy collapsed on the bed.

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