Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V9Part4

Part 22 (Part 4 of Volume 9)

The Supreme Commander of the St Vault Imperial Army, Prime Minister Kunz Eisenbacker, had experienced nothing but bitter frustrations during the nearly nine months since the fall of the imperial capital, Selfaust, last April.

After losing the mainland and fleeing to the colonial islands in the archipelago, the government had relocated its functions to Air Hunt Island. Yet, there was no more time to spare.

For the empire, time was now an enemy.

If they continued to sit idle, extinction awaited.

The invincible Imperial Archipelago Fleet remained mostly intact, and the ground forces had completed their withdrawal from the continent of Akitsu. Preparations had begun for the imminent counter-landing on the Mitterland mainland. However, unless these forces were deployed for decisive action and victory achieved soon, the military would collapse without a fight.

There was no more money.

Upon realizing the difficulty of defending the mainland, they had transported all the gold reserves stored in the vaults of the Central Bank of Selfaust to Air Hunt Island. Since the Archipelago world operated under a gold standard, maintaining ample reserves prevented the devaluation of the St Vault currency, the Pesos, and staved off extreme economic deterioration. Despite the loss of the capital and homeland, the empire had demonstrated that as long as its government, colonies, gold reserves, and ground forces were intact, it could still exist as a modern nation and launch a counterattack. However, there remained one problem: as time passed, their gold reserves dwindled. Without tax revenue or stable bonds, the only hope for additional funds lay with international investors betting on the empire’s recovery. Without war funds, the army would starve, run out of fuel, ammunition, and supplies, and vanish without a battle.

The only way to break through this impasse was to successfully land on Mitterland and reclaim the homeland. Recovering the 260 million subjects who were being trampled upon would restore tax revenue and bond sales, allowing the empire to regain its former power.

However, the Imperial Army alone could not stand against the Harmonia Empire—Uranos. The navy was adequate, but the ground forces on the mainland had been virtually annihilated, leaving the empire severely lacking in land combat capabilities. The only way to compensate for this deficiency was to form alliances with former enemies and coordinate ground forces.

The question was, how could these former adversaries be persuaded to sign a treaty quickly, efficiently, and in a way that satisfied everyone? About a month ago, when Eisenbacker asked this question to Balthazar Grim, now the strategic mind of the Imperial Army, the young man answered without hesitation, his expression unchanging:

"We should cede the leading role to another head of state, just this once."

"The empire’s top priority should be reclaiming the homeland. Once we’ve liberated the capital of Selfaust, you can reclaim the spotlight. Until then, we should accept a secondary role and meet the other powers’ demands, prioritizing an agreement over everything else."

Eisenbacker had agreed.

—If the empire tried to take the lead now, it would waste time.

After all, half of those they were about to ally with had been defeated in battles that the empire had one-sidedly provoked. If the empire tried to take control of the joint operation, the opposing side would immediately raise their flags in rebellion. There was no time for lengthy negotiations or persuasion. Therefore, as Balthazar suggested, the safest option was to let the second-most powerful nation lead the operation and avoid unnecessary friction.

—This time, we’ll keep quiet.

—There will be time to step forward after the war.

Once victory was achieved, they could focus on political recovery. If they lost, all heads of state would face execution, so there was no need to worry about post-war politics. With that conclusion in mind, Eisenbacker now found himself sitting in this office, at the same table as the representatives of the great powers of the Archipelago.

January 25th, 1352 of the Imperial Calendar, Santos Island, Joint Allied Command Headquarters —

In the hastily prepared headquarters of the Joint Allied Command on Santos Island, the representatives of the archipelago’s great powers gathered for the first time to exchange ideas and form an agreement on the joint "Operation B."

The participants were Supreme Commander Eisenbacker of the St Vault Imperial Army, Remy Audin representing the Hydrabard Archipelago Alliance, Special Envoy Yoshitsugu Uryuno of the Akitsu Kingdom, Second Fleet Admiral Luis de Alarcon, and Queen Elisabeth Sylvania, Supreme Commander of the Sylvania Kingdom. As representatives of nations that had been heavily trampled by the empire, both Remy and Uryuno could barely hide their animosity, sitting at the same table with thinly veiled hostility. If they felt even slightly disrespected or overlooked by the empire, they seemed ready to storm out at any moment. In this tense atmosphere, the only calming presence was Elisabeth Sylvania, the most influential and widely supported leader in the archipelago.

"To see representatives of the archipelago nations gathered here, exchanging words, is already moving in itself. I am well aware of the difficult history that cannot be easily overcome, yet I trust in your wisdom. I am confident that your dignity and generosity will help us transcend the enmities of the past and contribute to lasting peace in the future."

Her smile was genuine as she spoke of ideals. Though such lofty words would not sway experienced heads of state, at least they established a shared value. It was the polite veneer needed to keep citizens unaware of the power struggles beneath the surface.

"At this moment, the world faces a clear and imminent crisis. Even when we recall the catastrophes that have befallen humanity, none compare to the scale of what we now face. Continued conflict among those on the surface only benefits Uranos. I trust that those gathered here have set aside sentimentality and are fully prepared to unite their intellects to overcome this trial," Eisenbacker said in his prepared statement.

Remy and Uryuno listened coolly. The empire, which had so often antagonized and humiliated them, now spoke with such contrived humility. Their expressions almost broadcast their silent insults.

Yet both the Hydrabard Alliance and the Akitsu Kingdom recognized Uranos as the greater threat. To achieve even temporary unity among these discordant members, they needed to share a commitment to defeating Uranos.

And the ideal figurehead for this unity was none other than the person before them. Eisenbacker turned to Elisabeth and made his proposal.

"As the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, I believe no one is more suited for the role than Her Majesty the Queen. Sylvania’s history of opposing Uranos without enmity toward the empire, the kingdom, or the archipelago resonates now as a beacon of hope for our coalition. To show our unity and strength to Uranos, I propose that the highest command of this operation be entrusted to Queen Elisabeth."

This was a well-prepared speech, crafted after thorough consideration. Just as Eisenbacker had planned, surprise flickered on the faces of Remy and Uryuno. They had likely come prepared to prevent the empire from seizing control of the operation. But they hadn’t anticipated that Eisenbacker himself would propose giving command to Elisabeth.

—We are not surrendering the leadership of the archipelago.

—This is only temporary, for this operation alone.

—And if the operation fails, the blame will fall on Elisabeth.

With these thoughts in mind, Eisenbacker surveyed the room, confirming the subtle smiles of Luis and Elisabeth, and then addressed Uryuno, who wore a grim expression.

"It is an honour to work with your nation under Her Majesty’s benevolence."

Uryuno’s eyes briefly flashed with dissatisfaction before he erased it and nodded.

"Under Her Majesty’s will, we hope this alliance will endure for years to come."

This was not a reconciliation between the empire and the kingdom, but rather an acknowledgment of their shared will to defeat Uranos under Elisabeth’s leadership. The subtext of both their words was clear: this allowed each of them to save face and justify the alliance back home.

After returning to their countries, they could deflect any domestic criticism of the joint operation by blaming Elisabeth. If the operation failed, all responsibility would fall on her. If it succeeded, the restored power of their nations would allow them to once again push Sylvania aside and reclaim leadership of the archipelago.

With these calculations in mind, Eisenbacker signed the agreement, appointing Elisabeth as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces.

"Baltha, how did you manage to manipulate Eisen?"

After the tense meeting, having secured the title of Supreme Commander of the Allied Archipelago Forces, Elisabeth returned to the fifth floor of the Sierra Greed City Hall. She welcomed Balthazar into the reception room, asking the question while enjoying a cup of lemon tea, sitting across from him on the sofa.

Balthazar lounged back on the sofa, his long legs crossed, answering nonchalantly with his familiar expressionless face.

"I simply explained the current state of the Empire and the trajectory of the Archipelago world, then pointed out the best course of action. The rest was Eisen's decision to hoist you up onto a pedestal."

"Really? It all went so smoothly, I’m kind of surprised," Elisabeth replied casually, her tone slipping back into her more informal speech, as she often did with Balthazar. Since they were alone, she figured it was fine.

"The Sylvania Kingdom has that much momentum now. Compare the empire, on the verge of bankruptcy, to a kingdom with five hundred billion pesos in gold reserves. It’s obvious which is more suited to leadership. Add to that Sylvania’s historically good relations with other nations. Even without my guidance, any politician with basic international sense would have known the best course of action."

He downplayed his own role, reclining back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. His nonchalant manner reminded Elisabeth of their days back in the officer’s quarters at Air Hunt Academy, and she found herself reminiscing.

"I feel like we've come such a long way," she said thoughtfully.

Balthazar responded with a brief "Yeah," his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. It was unclear whether he was truly listening, but Elisabeth continued anyway.

"We’re about to embark on a battle that will decide the fate of the world. Our forces include 2.5 million ground troops, over 500 warships, and more than 2,000 aircraft—just combat fighters, bombers, and attack planes alone. It’s on a scale that’s hard to believe."

"It’s just a collection of what’s left of the Archipelago forces, more than half of which rely on the Isla fleet. Coordinating them will be a monumental task," Balthazar replied absentmindedly. His mind was likely occupied with the final stages of planning for the Archipelago's joint military operation "B."

"That’s true. And I know it’s still not enough to fully challenge Uranos. But still, the scale is unbelievable, right? It’s the largest operation in history."

"Whether it succeeds or fails, it will certainly be written into the history books."

"And you, Baltha, are the one who planned it. I’m the one who approved it, and Aki and Illia will lead the charge. It feels... amazing, like it’s destiny or something."

Balthazar remained silent, lost in thought. His mind was focused on the present reality, not interested in reflecting on nostalgic sentiments.

"Those seven of us on the Eriadore airship," Elisabeth mused to herself. "Now we’re the ones trying to change the world."

Even if Balthazar wasn’t engaging with her sentimental thoughts, Elisabeth continued speaking as if to herself.

As she mentioned, Balthazar now held the position of the chief strategist for the Allied Forces. Although, on paper, the official Chief of Staff of the Joint Allied Forces remained General Raphael Donauer, the reality was that Operation "B," with all its timing, location, methods, unit formation, and planning from start to finish, was Balthazar’s brainchild. It was his life’s work, crystallized into a plan that Elisabeth had authorized and would soon give the order to execute. The success of the operation, especially the crucial aerial battle for control of Pleiades, rested on the shoulders of Kiyoaki and Illia.

And then there was Kagura. Her sacrifice had ended the Second Archipelago War, allowing the archipelago powers to unite against Uranos.

And then, Mio.

The core of the largest operation in history was built on top-secret intelligence that Mio had provided. The plan to install a jet propulsion system on the Odin floating fortress and launch a lightning strike at the enemy capital, targeting the "source of war’s will," was only possible because Mio's information had been verified. Without the light Mio had given them, Operation "B" might never have come together. Her role had been that significant.

The seven from Eriadore.

The seven cadets who had happened to be on that airship, torn apart by the times and their nations, who had fought as enemies yet carried the same vow through it all. Now, that shared vow, that prayer, was on the verge of changing the world.

But—

One of them remained outside that flow.

One person who had yet to make any move in the world—Reiner Beck.

"Reiner... what is he doing now?" Elisabeth muttered softly into the air. Balthazar, still staring at the ceiling, gave no response.

"When Aki and Illia go to Pleiades... what will Reiner do?"

She posed the question to herself, searching for an answer.

If you thought about it rationally, the answer was clear: Reiner would oppose them. After all, he had been an infiltrator, masquerading as a friend while feeding intelligence to Uranos, ultimately leading to the surprise attack on Air Hunt Island. Because of Reiner’s betrayal, the island they lived on was destroyed, their school collapsed, and countless lives were lost. Both Reiner and Mio’s names were forever recorded as traitors in the history of the St Vault Empire, and if caught, execution or life imprisonment awaited them. So, of course, Reiner would stand against them in the battle for Pleiades.

But—

"Is that really all there is to Reiner’s role?" Elisabeth wondered aloud.

Would Reiner, one of the seven trying to reshape the world, remain a traitor and die as an enemy?

Elisabeth’s intuition said no.

—Reiner has an important role to play. A very important one.

She had no evidence, but the voice inside her rang with conviction.

—Reiner has a role only he can fulfill.

—And it might be even more important than any of ours.

Even if she mentioned this to Balthazar, he would probably just laugh it off. After all, it was only a hunch with no solid basis.

But still, she was sure.

"Reiner is keeping his vow."

Elisabeth whispered it to herself. Putting it into words made her conviction even stronger.

"No matter what side we’re on, we won’t hate each other."

"Friendship is eternal."

Surely, that vow still lived on in Reiner’s heart.

And so, when they arrived at Pleiades, Reiner would undoubtedly help them.

—Reiner would be the one to change the world in the end.

As her intuition whispered this hopeful thought, a maid announced the arrival of a guest. Elisabeth straightened herself, putting on her mask as the Queen of Sylvania, and with a graceful smile, welcomed today’s other guest into the reception room.

"Thank you for coming, Prince Manius. We are grateful for your presence."

Prince Manius Sidus II, the goodwill ambassador of Uranos, entered the room, clad in his usual formal attire, his lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. He ignored Elisabeth and glanced around the room.

"I came to stave off boredom, but as expected, it’s a dreary little castle."

Elisabeth responded with a practiced smile, unfazed by Manius’s barbed words.

"It is a city hall, after all. The royal palace was destroyed by Uranos about ten years ago."

Without a hint of bitterness or resentment, she gave the order for the butler to bring out their finest wine.

Manius plopped down on the sofa without so much as a glance at Balthazar and took a sip of the wine. He gave a dismissive response to Elisabeth, who was watching his reaction with interest.

"The same as always."

"Not to your taste?"

"I’ve grown tired of it."

"What will it take to satisfy you?"

"Enough idle chatter. Get to the point. I already have a good idea of what this is about."

Manius leaned back into the sofa, looking almost up at the ceiling. Elisabeth, with a practiced grace, allowed Balthazar to take over and begin explaining.

"First, we must share with you information known only to the upper echelons of the Allied Forces. In October of last year, Claire Cruz was overthrown. Allegedly, she informed the Second Isla Fleet’s mistress of Pleiades' location and was captured by the Demistri faction."

Balthazar revealed top-secret intelligence known only to a select few representatives, but Manius’s reaction was muted.

"I expected as much."

He said nothing more, prompting Balthazar to continue.

"The throne is currently vacant. Demistri appears to be waiting for the right moment to seize the crown. It’s likely he plans to do so once he has secured dominance over the Archipelago. By demonstrating his achievements as the new ruler, he will leave no room for Claire’s supporters to strike back."

Before Balthazar could finish, Manius interrupted with a sudden question.

"Do you plan to launch a surprise attack on Pleiades?"

Balthazar was taken aback, shocked that Manius had zeroed in on the heart of the matter so quickly. Moreover, he was surprised that this eccentric prince already seemed to know the ultimate target of the operation—something known only to the Allied Command.

"If you've modified the Odin’s propulsion system, even an idiot could figure it out. Why else would you install jet propulsion on a floating fortress that’s never been operational? Why increase the speed of this so-called secret weapon? Obviously, it's because an extremely valuable target is moving into your strike range. Given the reason for summoning me, your objective is clear."

Manius listed his deductions dispassionately, though Balthazar was now on high alert.

This prince was formidable. Trying to downplay anything would only make him more suspicious and stubborn. Just as Balthazar was about to acknowledge Manius’s insight, the prince fired another question.

"How did you determine Pleiades' current location?"

After a moment’s hesitation, Balthazar responded.

"Our special operatives successfully infiltrated the capital."

Manius let out a quiet hum, then asked for the identity of the operative and the method of contact. Deciding there was no reason to hide it, Balthazar explained about Mio’s identity and how Fio had brought them the coordinates, which had been confirmed by their intelligence sources.

"What’s Pleiades' current course?"

In response to that question, Balthazar produced a map of the operation. After a quick glance at the route marked on the map, Manius murmured.

"It’s approaching the Archipelago from Krista."

"Yes. It’s almost as if it wants to get closer to the battlefield."

"That makes no sense. Why would it move its head straight into a brawl?"

There was no need for Manius to point it out— Pleiades’ route was unusual. Despite being the seat of both political and military command, it was heading toward the front lines.

After a rare moment of contemplation, Manius glanced at Balthazar with a sharp, dangerous glint in his eye.

"Have you announced that I’m with the Allied Forces?"

For the first time in his life, Balthazar acknowledged someone as his intellectual equal.

—This eccentric prince’s deductive power rivals my own.

Without a word, Balthazar found himself silently impressed. This prince, Manius, wasn’t just sharp; he was extraordinary. Merely by observing the Odin's propulsion system modifications, he had seen through Balthazar's meticulously guarded grand strategy, from its goals to its methods, all in one fell swoop.

"I didn't broadcast it, but I allowed enough information to leak that Uranos' intelligence could catch wind of it. If we made too much noise, they’d have seen through the plan immediately. Instead, I let just enough ripple out, like the sound of a frog splashing into a pond, and waited for the response," Balthazar explained.

For the first time that evening, Manius cracked a faint, amused smile.

"So, you've used me as bait to lure out Demistri?"

"More accurately, I used Your Highness as the bait to draw out Pleiades. Once they’ve come closer, we plan to strike with Odin’s spear and pierce Demistri’s core," Balthazar said boldly.

It was the kind of statement that might have been considered disrespectful by any other prince, but Manius, clearly entertained, glanced at Balthazar with interest.

"Your plan?"

"As humbly as I can claim, yes."

"Your name?"

Though Balthazar had introduced himself earlier, it seemed Manius had forgotten. He reintroduced himself once again.

"I am Balthazar Grim, Chief Strategist of the Archipelago Allied Forces, Your Highness."

"Mm," Manius acknowledged with a low hum, an indecent smile playing on his lips.

"Demistri has always been compared to me since we were young, overshadowed in every way but one—he is the legitimate son. When I was exiled to Isla, Demistri was the one who sighed in the greatest relief. But now that I've returned, leading the Isla fleet, I imagine his unease must be unbearable."

Manius spoke with a kind of perverse joy. He was never more animated than when speaking ill of his half-brother, Demistri.

"To assuage his fears, Demistri has no choice but to crush me with force. He wants to display his power, to have me grovel before him, and to personally witness my head being severed. His arrogance has driven Pleiades into the skies over Mitterland."

As Manius revelled in describing his brother's mindset, Balthazar listened, noting that the enmity between the two brothers was even greater than he had anticipated. Manius’ hatred for Demistri was deep-rooted, and Demistri, it seemed, would go to any length to destroy Manius.

That was the opening.

That was where victory lay.

"The day before the operation to land on Mitterland, we will launch an assault on Pleiades with the Odin, equipped with eighty jet propulsion engines. Using the full force of the Allied fighter units, we will secure air superiority and neutralize the enemy’s defences with bombing runs. After that, we will land ground forces, secure the military installations, key government buildings, the parliamentary chambers, and the Ulysses Palace, effectively dismantling the Uranos government. At that point, we would like to appoint Your Highness as the head of the provisional government. To root out the 'Heaven and Earth Dominion' sickness plaguing Uranos, and establish peaceful relations with the ground, we need your leadership."

Balthazar laid out the strategy, from the operation’s basics to the post-war vision. The guiding principle of Uranos' worldview, the "Heaven and Earth Dominion," was an ancient disease embedded deep in the psyche of the Uranos people. The only one capable of eradicating this sickness, and reforming Uranos’ structure, was someone critical of Uranos’ current philosophy—someone progressive in politics, economics, and international relations: Manius.

That was Balthazar’s and Elisabeth’s shared conclusion. However—

"Boring."

Manius dismissed Balthazar’s meticulously crafted plan with a single, disdainful word.

"Unfortunately, I have no interest in the throne. The mere thought of spending my life mingling with those idiotic aristocrats makes my skin crawl. The throne is better suited to someone as stupid as Demistri."

With that, Manius drained his glass of the "awful" wine in one gulp, his expression a mix of mockery, resignation, and boredom.

Balthazar had expected some resistance, but not this much. While Manius had exceptional abilities, his complicated inner life made him an extremely difficult person to deal with.

—Highly capable, but too much trouble internally.

Balthazar kept his thoughts to himself, silently cursing the situation.

There was, however, one person who might be able to persuade Manius.

"Despite the complaints, you always seem to finish a bottle," Elisabeth chimed in, not missing a beat as she called for the butler to bring another bottle of a different vintage.

"I’ve come to understand Your Highness’s inner workings as of late. It seems you can’t help but say the opposite of what you truly think deep down."

Manius remained unfazed, his sneer radiating a sense of superiority over the world.

"Dreaming about the contents of a sack in the sky is a commoner’s pastime."

Elisabeth responded without losing her innocent smile.

"That sack in the sky seems rather full to me."

Balthazar watched their verbal sparring with discomfort. He had no patience for such drawn-out wordplay.

"Lieutenant General Grim, might I have a moment alone with the prince?" Elisabeth suddenly asked.

Caught off guard, Balthazar was momentarily startled, but he quickly realized it was an opportunity. He stood, relieved.

"My apologies. A frank exchange of opinions may indeed be better between such noble figures. I’ll be in the adjacent room if needed."

With that, Balthazar bowed slightly and left the room, retreating to an adjoining chamber where the prince’s attendants were waiting.

Once alone with Manius, Elisabeth poured herself another cup of tea and smiled across the table.

"May I share something personal?"

Manius, bored, adjusted his posture and rested his chin on his hand.

"Don’t."

"Then I’ll continue," Elisabeth said without hesitation. "You see, I once thought the idea of being queen was burdensome. I longed for a simpler life, to live freely as a commoner. There was a time when I truly wished for that."

"Recounting past events is the most tedious part of any play. Interrupting the narrative flow forces the audience to endure the burden of re-engagement."

"I see. I’ll take my time and recount every detail carefully," Elisabeth continued with a calm smile. "It all began about ten years ago when the palace where I lived was suddenly attacked by Uranos."

She began recounting, in painstaking detail, her journey from the fall of the Sylvania royal family, her rescue by Akmed, her student life with the help of her Aunt Colette, her time among the "seven of Eriadore," and finally her decision to restore the royal family, leading to her current position.

As she spoke, Manius drank a full bottle of wine, then moved on to black beer, and eventually tipped back a glass of white wine.

"And so now, I stand at a turning point in history, guided by my comrades. Don't you think it's a curious twist of fate?"

"I wasn’t listening from the start."

"I’m so glad you agree. It's truly remarkable that someone like me, with so little talent, has found myself in a position to share a drink with someone as exceptional as Your Highness," she slurred, hiccupping.

"You’re drunk."

Manius finally noticed that Elisabeth, too, had a glass of wine in her hand. She must have been drinking along with him throughout her long speech.

"I am anxious too, you know. There are many things I don’t know how to handle. Sometimes, I have to lie, or keep important things from the people I care about. It’s hard. It’s painful. Honestly, there are more bad moments than good," she admitted, hiccupping again.

What had begun as an attempt to persuade Manius had somehow turned into a venting session. Yet, Elisabeth didn’t stop.

"I think I understand your feelings, at least a little. I’ve always thought that we share a similar fate in some way."

Manius, his expression showing signs of fatigue, called for the butler to bring some distilled spirits. Though his face remained irritated, he made no move to leave and sat there, silently enduring Elisabeth's complaints.

"Sometimes, I wonder why I was born into this role. If I’d been born into a more normal family, I would’ve lived a completely different life. Don’t you ever think that, Your Highness? That if you weren’t born a prince, you could’ve had a much more enjoyable life?"

Being told this outright made Manius somewhat irritable. He drained the amber-coloured drink in his glass and glared across the table.

"If that’s what you think, why don’t you just quit? Throw away the crown and run off."

"Because that wouldn’t look very cool, would it?"

"What do you want?"

"I want to end this war."

Even in her drunken state, Elisabeth’s resolve was unwavering. She stood up from her seat, though unsteadily, and made her way over to sit beside Manius.

"I have a question," Manius said, watching her. "Do you have a habit of being a terrible drunk?"

Elisabeth, now holding a large glass of vodka, locked eyes with him, her gaze steady despite her inebriation.

"What do you want, Your Highness?"

Caught off guard by the sudden direct question, Manius hesitated.

It was a type of question he had never been asked before.

"There’s a word I was taught by someone I care for deeply—'destiny.' It’s the idea that everyone has a role to play in this world, and that they are born to fulfill that role."

"…That’s an ideology developed by the rulers of the Eastern world. They used it to pacify the oppressed, convincing them that their suffering was divinely ordained. It’s nothing more than a political tool to justify class structures."

"Which do you prefer, realism or romanticism? I lean toward the romantic," Elisabeth said with a smile.

Elisabeth looked up at the ceiling with a hint of dissatisfaction as she posed her question. Manius, as usual, made no attempt to respond, merely snorting in reply.

"Isn't it strange that we're sitting here, drinking wine, and having this conversation? Don't you find it peculiar, Your Highness?"

"This entire situation is beyond ridiculous."

"Well, in my romantic way of thinking, I believe you were destined to be here. Born as the second prince of Uranos, you moved from Pleiades to Isla, joined the Second Isla Fleet, and now you're here, drinking with me and talking about the world. There's a larger meaning to your journey, don’t you think?"

Manius grimaced at the remark, ready to fire back a snide comment, but found himself at a loss for words. When he reflected on his life, it was hard to deny the strange path his fate had followed.

From a young age, there had always been Demistri, his incompetent older brother. In every ability that mattered, Manius outshone him, yet Demistri was the legitimate son, while Manius was born of a concubine. Manius’ supporters were always the outcasts of the court, while Demistri, despite his ineptitude, never lacked influential allies. The smug, triumphant look on Demistri’s face when it was decided that Manius would be exiled from Uranos—thanks to Nina Viento’s discovery—was something Manius would never forget.

His decision to accompany the Second Isla Fleet had been purely to spite his brother. When asked by Captain Luis about the size of the Uranos fleet, Manius had intentionally downplayed the numbers. Whether Luis had fully trusted Manius’ word was unclear, but he had certainly leveraged the information effectively with the fleet’s investors. As Manius had planned, the fleet had launched under the pretence of historic romance between Kal-el and Claire. Now, due to Manius' manipulations, Demistri had foolishly sent Pleiades toward the Archipelago, where it was about to be impaled by Odin’s spear.

"It’s your destiny," Elisabeth quietly declared.

"I believe your life up until now has had great meaning, and it will only become more significant. I think I have a sense of what your destiny might be, Your Highness."

"Your destiny is probably to drink and ramble about nonsense."

"Your destiny, I believe, is to make peace with the people of the Earth."

Manius snorted once, then twice, then a third time, before flashing a twisted smile at Elisabeth.

"If you’re trying to charm me, give it up. I am bound to no one. I do what I wish, and I take orders from no one."

"I think we can be friends, Your Highness."

"I don’t care what fantasies you harbor, I have no interest in them."

"One day, I’m sure you’ll even make friends with the people of Uranos."

"They’re a people who've wandered the skies for two millennia, clinging to twisted beliefs. They’re fundamentally different from those who’ve lived and thrived on the Earth."

"But how different are we, really? You and I share the same emotions, don’t we? We get angry, scorn, rejoice, grieve, and laugh when we’re happy. Isn't that the same?"

Manius scowled, clearly uncomfortable. He ordered another black beer and turned bloodshot eyes toward Elisabeth.

"Are you seriously equating international relations with personal connections?"

"Is that wrong?"

"For a public speech, maybe. But politics is about managing a nation. Emotions have no place in governance."

"But if the leaders of nations could become friends and talk openly, wouldn’t that solve many of the problems we face?"

Elisabeth tilted her head, as if what she was saying was the most natural thing in the world.

"If leaders talked seriously about what each country needed and how they could help one another, we wouldn’t need to resort to violence."

"……………………"

"If they have the strength to fight, wouldn’t it make more sense to use that strength to help each other? I find it odd that the simplest reasoning, something even a child could understand, seems to elude world leaders."

Manius tried to formulate a rebuttal, assembling the logic to counter her argument, but found it more challenging than he expected. He scratched his head in frustration.

—Is she an idiot or a genius?

What Elisabeth was saying sounded like the naive optimism of an airheaded girl, but it was difficult to outright dismiss. Fundamentally, she wasn’t wrong.

After taking a moment to collect himself, Manius responded.

"It’s undeniable that a lack of negotiation has led to this tragedy. If nations had moved away from imperialism, extended aid to resource-poor countries, and reduced military spending to invest in public works, education, and social welfare, the world would be far richer…"

Manius couldn’t deny the point. At the core of many global conflicts lay the failure of nations to communicate. More specifically, the powerful nations had often pushed weaker ones to the brink, leaving them no choice but to fight for survival.

Nations without resources didn’t go to war over ideology; they did so over economics. Excluded from trade blocs led by the great powers, emerging nations faced high tariffs on their exports, while cheap imports undermined their domestic industries, leading to economic decline and starvation. Their only option was to invade other countries’ colonies to secure food, fuel, and industrial resources. When they did, the great powers gleefully labelled them "aggressor nations," unleashed overwhelming force, and massacred soldiers and civilians alike under the banner of "justice." This cycle of violence had consumed the world, leaving ruin and suffering in its wake.

If only, at an earlier stage, the world's leaders had sat down together, opened their markets, and offered assistance to struggling nations, the conflict might have been avoided. The world might have spared millions of lives, saved countless resources.

It only required a willingness to extend a hand.

It only required a little "friendship."

Had there been even a glimmer of that friendship, the world might have avoided this descent into destruction.

For nearly six and a half years, since he was expelled from Pleiades, Manius had observed the world, met its people, and witnessed its cultures. Those experiences whispered the same conclusion to him now.

"Your Highness," Elisabeth said softly, her voice sincere.

Manius realized how close they were. Their shoulders were nearly touching.

"Maybe we should be the ones to start."

Her words were quiet but sincere. Perhaps she had been harbouring the same doubts deep inside her small frame.

Why couldn’t nations show empathy for each other? Why couldn’t they find a way to prosper together?

Why had they failed to believe that other nations and peoples, too, valued "friendship"?

That simple belief, had it existed, could have spared the suffering of millions.

"If we tie the heavens and the earth together through our friendship, surely the suffering will end."

Normally, Manius would have fired off a sharp retort without hesitation. The idea that "friendship" could end a total war involving entire nations was so childish, it should have been laughable.

But no words came. He couldn’t mock her.

On the contrary—perhaps it was the only way to end this war.

It was so simple, so childish, that it might just be the truth.

Perhaps it was the world itself that was so immature that it couldn’t grasp such a simple truth.

"Ending the war through friendship—that might be our destiny."

Manius, feeling his convictions waver, reacted instinctively.

"I’m leaving."

He suddenly stood up.

Looking down at Elisabeth, he spoke in a shaky voice.

"I can’t deal with this. I’m leaving."

He called for his coat, slipping it on as his right arm trembled slightly.

"You’re too naive. Your stupidity is contagious. I’m leaving."

Elisabeth stood without any reproach, watching him calmly.

"I appreciate the meaningful conversation, Your Highness."

Manius, for the first time, didn’t respond with his usual barbed retort. He fled the room like a child caught in mischief. His butler followed, and Elisabeth was left alone, staring at the closed door.

—That made an impression.

The thought lingered in her mind as the door reopened and Balthazar poked his head in.

"Has the duel of demons finally ended?" he asked bluntly, stepping into the room with a bitter look on his face.

"…What did you do this time?" he added, eyeing her suspiciously.

"What do you mean by that? I didn’t do anything."

"That stuck-up prince just ran out of here pale as a sheet. What kind of sorcery could have caused that? I can’t even begin to imagine."

"I just had a wonderfully romantic conversation with him. I guess it wasn’t to his taste."

Balthazar frowned at her and shrugged.

"Manius is crucial for this operation. I’ll leave handling him to you. He and I don’t exactly get along."

"You’re too much alike."

"Who’s like whom?"

"Never mind. And for the record, I’m not manipulating anyone. I’m just being honest about how I feel, with you, with him."

Elisabeth smiled up at Balthazar.

"Let’s save the world together, Captain."

Her open honesty made Balthazar visibly uncomfortable as he turned away.

"…I see why he ran."

"You're definitely alike."

Balthazar scoffed, muttering, "Who’s alike with whom?" as he unfurled the operation map before Elisabeth once again. The meeting with Manius had interrupted their earlier discussion, but the real reason Balthazar was here today was to finalize their preparations for Operation 'B' with Elisabeth, now the Supreme Commander of the Archipelago Allied Forces.

"We're entering the final phase of the operation. What I’m about to present isn’t just my own ideas—this has already been coordinated with the other nations' staff officers at the Joint Operations Command. It’d be helpful to get your approval before presenting it to General Raphael, so I need you to agree to all the conditions I'm about to lay out."

It was an audacious demand to make of the Supreme Commander, but Elisabeth merely smiled and listened, used to Balthazar's blunt ways.

"A plan that takes too long to set up is a bad one. A major operation needs to be simple and elegant. Overplanning leads to complexity, which gives the enemy’s intelligence time to uncover it. The key to Operation 'B' is to inject the enemy's nerve centre with a needle before they can react, paralysing them, and then using our full force to knock them down."

Balthazar emphasized his final point, meeting Elisabeth’s gaze with unwavering determination. She nodded silently in response.

"The assault on Pleiades will occur almost simultaneously with the Mitterrand mainland landing operation. The enemy, caught off guard by the surprise attack on their capital, will be thrown into disarray, delaying their response—or so we hope. While we’re unclear on the exact location of the Uranos Archipelago Fleet, it's likely nearby, and we’ll inevitably face them in a naval battle. They outmatch us in both numbers and technology, so if we engage directly, we’ll lose. In other words, if Pleiades assault fails, our hopes are gone. The only way to end this war is to seize air control over Pleiades, land our forces, and dismantle the Uranos royal government. Do you understand so far?"

Elisabeth nodded again. Their slim hope lay in knowing Pleiades' position and being close enough to strike. All their efforts rested on this chance. Balthazar's plan focused on sending Odin, equipped with jet engines, into a direct confrontation with Pleiades, hoping to capture or kill the enemy leader.

"The Pleiades assault must not fail. Ideally, we’d deploy our maximum strength, but only Odin has the mobility and firepower to break through the enemy's defences and engage Pleiades. Therefore, the force on Odin must consist of the best of the best, led by the finest commander we have. So, who is the most capable commander in the Archipelago Allied Forces right now?"

Elisabeth sighed, already knowing where this was heading.

"The person standing right in front of me," she answered.

Balthazar nodded, satisfied.

"You need to appoint me as the commander of Odin. That’s the best way for this to succeed."

Elisabeth raised an eyebrow, testing his resolve.

"Odin's mission is a one-way trip, isn’t it?"

The task was to dock with Pleiades, fight to the death, and capture or destroy the enemy leader. Everyone onboard would be volunteers, fully aware they were embarking on a journey from which they likely wouldn’t return. Based on the jet engine’s endurance, once they made the trip, there’d be no coming back. Was Balthazar really willing to lead such a mission himself?

"It’s my plan, so I should be the one to execute it," he replied calmly.

Elisabeth felt her heart tighten slightly.

"…If you come back alive, I’ll agree," she said softly.

Sensing the emotional shift in the air, Balthazar grimaced, rejecting the sentimentality.

"Don’t worry. If I lose, we’re both dead anyway. The only difference is how soon we die."

"Still… come back alive. No matter what."

"The only reason I’m insisting on leading this is to increase our chances of victory. Now stop dragging this out and sign the document. I brought the official appointment paperwork—just sign it already."

With his usual efficiency, Balthazar placed the document, appointing himself as Odin’s commander, on the glass table. Elisabeth skimmed through the text anxiously, then looked up at him.

"What are the odds of you returning alive?" she asked quietly.

"Do I really have to answer that?"

"Just between us. Be honest."

"Realistically, based on a comparison of Pleiades and Odin’s forces, we have an 80% chance of losing. Without Fio's intel, our chances would have been 98%, so things are looking better."

"…"

"But with me leading on-site, that number rises to about 30%. If Sakagami succeeds in securing air control, we’re looking at 50%. Those are reasonable odds to stake the fate of the world on. Now, hurry up and sign—I’m busy. The more time we waste, the slimmer our chances get."

In his typical authoritative manner, Balthazar barked orders even at the Supreme Commander. Despite her hesitation, Elisabeth signed the document, then met his eyes with a serious expression.

"…Come back alive. For Kagura, too."

At the mention of that name, Balthazar’s face briefly stiffened.

"I still believe Kagura is alive. I have no proof, but… once things settle down, I’ll ask the Keiken Kingdom to investigate further. So don’t die before then, okay? Please."

Balthazar bit his lip slightly, took the document, and checked her signature.

"…Let’s end this war and see her again. All of us."

"Superstitious soldiers hate talking about reunions, weddings, buying houses, or any post-war plans. Keep talking about that, and I might just end up dead."

"But—

"I’ve got the appointment. Now all that’s left is for you to formally approve Operation 'B.' I’ll leave that in your hands."

With that, Balthazar, like Manius before him, left the room quickly. Elisabeth watched the door close, lingering on her thoughts. She was just being honest with her feelings, yet both Manius and Balthazar, brilliant minds, always fled from them.

"We all need to make it through this war alive," she whispered to herself. "We have to end this war and make it back."

Alone in the empty room, Elisabeth murmured her wish. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over onto her cheeks. The end of it all was drawing near, but despite that, the tears wouldn’t stop flowing.