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

===Part 5===

Governmental Sector, central area, Triumphal Arch.

It had been about half an hour since getting on a large transport vehicle when they came to see a large pure white gate shining in the sunlight.

Guessing by sight, the height was four or five metres. The width was well over twice that. Of course, it was a scale that would allow this large transport vehicle and even a large armored vehicle to pass through easily.

“It looks like we’ve arrived, so everyone please exit the vehicle.”

Yuragi descended from the passenger seat at the front and pointed at the large gate.

“The central area is from this gate onwards. If we compare it with the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}, this area would be synonymous with the Living Districts and at it’s center is the agency known as the ‘''Governmental Sector''‘. Around this area is as you know.”

“……That’s a large gate. It’s white and large like {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

Ymy looked up at the pure white gate in front and sighed in admiration.

Maybe it was to avoid standing out in a crowd. Her current clothes were a common sky blue blouse with frills and a white mermaid skirt.

“It is known as the Triumphal Arch. At the time the Governmental Sector moved from the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}} to this {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}, it was a gift conferred by {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} as a proof of friendship. The pure white color is as Ymy-sama stated, it was done in the image of {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

“Is that so? S-sorry……I’m bad at history like that.”

“It’s fine; that is why the explanation has its worth.”

Yuragi pulled out something that looked like a tourism pamphlet. When he wondered what she was doing, she rolled up that pamphlet ── and pointed towards the path that led on past the Triumphal Arch.

“Let’s begin touring the city immediately. Or so I’d like to say, but we only have to walk straight down this road.”

It was a public road that was wide enough to have a footrace on.

The surface was a glossy black. The materials used to coat the ground also seemed special and the ground’s hardness couldn’t be felt when they walked on it. It was a feeling like walking atop a cushion.

“Such strange materials. Yuragi-san, what does this pavement use?”

“It’s asphalt with chemical fibres woven in. I’ve heard that the Governmental Sector’s development division is gathering data on it as an experimental material. It absorbs the impacts from walking and if a child falls, it’ll only end with a light injury.”

“……That’s quite intriguing. I’ll take a little data.”

Kagura squatted down and poked at the pavement’s surface.

“Kagura-san, it’s fine if you’re staring at the ground but pay attention to the front properly as well.”

Maybe that action was strange. In a rare moment, Yuragi smiled broadly in a natural fashion unlike her usual business smile.

“In front?”

“Yes, to both sides of this road.”

The large public road stretched out into the distance so far that it seemed like a mirage. The countless carts and food stalls that lined both sides of that street were the highlight of the scene.

Of course, there were carts and food stalls selling food and drinks that weren’t seen on the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}, as well as flower shops, astrology shops, clothing and accessory shops, and even massage booths. Each of those was decorated with their own unique ornaments, calling out to the tourists that were walking through that public road.

“……Such amazing fervor; you can’t see a crowd of booths like this on the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}.”

“Yes. The difference between this {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} and the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}} is in that ‘''density''‘. Ah, you over there, could I get mixed juice for all of us? Include straws.”

Turning to the boy vendor, Yuragi flicked out a pure metal coin.

“This island is only an eighth of the size of the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}. Within that small area, the residents, travelers and merchants are gathered so the density naturally became high. ──Yes, thank you. It’s fine if you keep the change as pocket money.”

The secretary took the paper cup with drink the boy was holding.

“Go ahead, Ymy-sama and everyone else. The moon viewing apple and blue lemon juice……because of the climate, neither of them are cultivated on the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}.

Let’s see, let’s see ── the instant Sheltis drank the sample half, the pleasant aroma of fresh sourness and faint sweetness spread within his mouth.

……Ah, this is delicious.

This cool and gentle refreshing feeling is something that other drinks fall just short of.

“This tastes good. It’s not too sweet nor too strong.”

“……Hmph, it’s not bad.”

Kagura and Vaiel who had cautiously confirmed the smell had also drank a mouthful and it seemed it had fit their fancy, so they drank a second.

“That’s a relief. There are many other delicious cuisines so please enjoy it so long as it doesn’t affect tonight’s dinner party. ……What I wanted Ymy-sama to know was in fact this.”

“This……was it?”

Ymy stopped the hand she had the juice in and asked back blankly.

“This scenery isn’t bad, right?”

Yuragi who was walking at the forefront spread her hands in a slight gesture.

The road ahead was overflowing with the fervor of the tourists and vendors and would have anyone’s eyes shining. That scene was not different at all from something that could be seen at the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}.

“The Governmental Sector has two sides. The side that acts as a political opponent to {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} and the other is this. The side that acts to regulate and eagerly strives to preserve this lively townscape. Both of them are real and not a ruse.”

“……Truly, it’s different from what I imagined.”

Ymy who was looking around at the public road nodded with a subdued expression.

“Of course, marking the Governmental Sector as a ‘''good thing''‘ is premature. But on the other hand, I think that knowing about this side is important.”

“Y-yes. It’s become a really good reference!”

“That’s great. ……You also drank all the juice; the child from before is also delighted.”

Ymy nodded many times. Yuragi took the empty paper cup that she had been holding with a smile and quietly threw it into the collection bin on the side of the public street.

“By the way, about Ymy-sama’s escort”

“Ishtar-san, is it. ……H-huh? Come to think of it, she’s been quiet since a while ago.”

Ymy looked around for the escort that should have been beside her.

“''Ah, over there, Ymy, at that child vendor. She’s in the middle of discussing with that kid that sold us juice.''“

In the direction that {{furigana|machine crystal|Ilis}} had talked about ── the figure of the spear user could be seen handing a coin to the boy Yuragi had bought juice from, receiving juice that was bottled in clear glass in return.

“Okay, onee-chan, two one-litre bottles of the juice from before!”

“Thanks. With this, the souvenir for I’sa-chan is settled, yep. Buying Jin’s portion as well and that’s two bottles. Perfect! Ah, the dry flowers over there are also really beautiful!? That might also be a good souvenir for I’sa-chan!”

Putting the two glass bottles under her arm, she went further and further away.

“……Somehow it feels like she’s really enjoying herself.”

“Yes, but it also feels like that’s fine. Ymy-sama is also in disguise so it would be more unnatural for Ishtar-sama to stick right next to her as an escort, right?”

The Priestess sighed and Yuragi had her arms folded with a wry smile.

“Shall we go find a good bargain like Ishtar-sama?”

“Th……that’s right.”

She tightened her fists and turned towards her senpai, the ex-apprentice Priestess.

“Monica-senpai, let’s also go with the intention of not losing!”

“Ehh! W-with me!?”

“Didn’t you take me out for shopping together in the past?”

“Th……that’s right but……umm.”

The unit captain let her gaze wander in embarrassment.

“…………Well, it can’t be helped. If that’s also included in escorting.”

The wind blew into the public street. Her sakura-colored hair flowing, Monica took her kouhai’s hand and walked on.

“However, don’t separate from me. It looks like Ishtar-sama is also doing whatever she wants so I have to protect you.”

“Y-yes!”

The two held each other’s hands and walked.

They should be close to them but not at too close a distance and keep watch──

“Ah. Hey, hey, Sheltis, are you by any chance jealous?“

“Not at all.”

“''Eh─, but the position by Ymy’s side has been taken. Really? Really?''“

……Idiot.

Bearing it with a wry smile, he shook his head sideways.

“The one beside her is Monica, a girl. What’s more, she’s Ymy’s senpai, and looking at that great relationship makes me also feel happy.”

“''……Well, that laid-back attitude is very like you.''“

{{furigana|Machine crystal|Ilis}}’ sigh resembled an amazed laugh.

And in a spot a little further away, Vaiel with a tired out face,

“But you know, it’s such a pain to walk on and on. How far are we going?”

“A little more. Somebody with good vision should be able to see it soon.”

Yuragi prompted in the direction the large public road extended.

Above the horizon that her gaze led to, a towering black shadow stood with a grand sea of clouds as its backdrop.

……That is.

“That is the Governmental Sector. It is the agency that oversees this world’s politics including legislation and the administration of justice and it is the place that everybody will be visiting tomorrow.”

Yuragi narrowed her eyes behind her glasses.

“I believe this is something you’re already aware of but the Governmental Sector was formerly a member of the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}. About half a century ago, they contested their respective authorities and it ended up in a separation from the {{furigana|floating continent|Orbie Clar}}……it has existed since then as the agency focused on legislation and the administration of justice.”

“However, by splitting up, they also removed the reason for discord. As a result, it repaired their amiable relationship to the current state. ……It’s nostalgic, that was back when I was still a bad kid.”

An elderly person that was standing behind the group looked up. Taking that gaze on directly, the woman who was part of the Governmental Sector smiled.

“It is as the General Affairs Bureau Chief stated. The assembly tomorrow is also for the purpose of promoting deeper friendship. At the very least, that’s what I believe personally.”

Personally. She emphasized that unnatural part. Basically, that was to say that even if she thought that way, above that ── there were those who didn’t think that in the center of the Governmental Sector.

“Umm, Yuragi-san, is it okay if I ask something really fundamental?”

“Yes. It’s just that in actuality, my senses as someone working at the administration department tell me that the consul is a figurehead in the end. In actuality, the ones administrating the law are the former old parliamentary members. ……The three administrators are the three oldest parliamentary members; you could say they act the part of elders.”

The three administrators and the parliament known as the former old parliament with its members.

Those were the top executives that ran the Governmental Sector.

“The ones that will be in charge of the assembly tomorrow are the former old parliament members but the administrator elders should also be present at tonight’s dinner party. It will likely be suffocating for Ymy-sama.”

“''Fumu, fumu. Well, putting dinner aside, isn’t it fine if we’re enjoying right now?''“

{{furigana|Machine crystal|Ilis}} threw in some appropriate response in a nonchalant tone.

At a place away from the group ── two girls were in the middle of walking around the carts.

“Ah, Monica-senpai! I found a rare accessory shop on the other side!”

“Well, wait, Ymy, I’m interested in these fabrics here.”

“But, but, it seems like the accessories over here are special products?”

“Even this plant fibre isn’t available outside of this island──”

Even though they were pointing at completely opposite directions, neither of their hands would let go of the other.

It was like a scene of two sisters with a great relationship.

“……Their relationship was really good, wasn’t it, Monica and the Priestess-sama.”

“Both sides are brats, they’re brats.”

Rather than feeling touched, Kagura and Vaiel were now taken aback.

“''Hey, Sheltis, I’m gonna ask again but you’re really not jealous?''“

“……That’s why I’m asking, why do you think that?”

Without even bothering to hide his bitter sigh, Sheltis once again looked on over the two from behind.

.