Why do I want to cry out ‘STAY’ to myself from last year when I half-destroyed Kaiser?
Of course, letting Kaiser, who had treated student lives so lightly and instigated terror, run free would have been a problem in itself…
Honestly, I never imagined that the butterfly effect from that event would be this huge. My limited foresight only led me to think that if Kaiser’s influence weakened, then Abydos would be easier to manage, and who could have guessed that Saint Nephthys had such dark intentions?
From the start, Saint Nephthys was a company that didn’t even warrant consideration for me to execute my plans. If one thinks that such a company could twist the situation in Abydos into a complete knot, it wouldn’t be too far from calling it prophetic.
I certainly took what I believed to be the best action. By all appearances, it seemed like I achieved positive results.
But now, as the situation is at this point, a thought pops up—what if?
Let’s say that I somehow resolve the mess in Abydos that has gotten tangled because of my actions. Then comes the matter of how Millennium’s Aris and the events surrounding her will pan out.
However, I have significantly influenced Millennium. The core of it all relates to my connection with Rion.
What if my involvement negatively impacts something that could have been resolved without issue? This isn’t limited to just Millennium.
Although I thought everything had worked out well with the Eden Treaty…
What if a rebellion suddenly erupts from within Trinity, or unexpected situations arise where Beatrice, whom I thought had been neatly dealt with, turns out not to be? What if the colors I believed I had adequately dealt with manifest again? It terrifies me.
Especially with the issue of colors, which ties directly to the final chapter of Part 1 that I know nothing about—the fear of an uncertain future is unmanageable. If I followed the original story, I’d have had confidence that everything would resolve itself even if we faced the final chapter, but because I’ve changed so much, that confidence has vanished.
I finally understand why the Student Council President hesitated to attack Kaiser only when the situation came crashing down in front of me.
I did the right thing, but the price I paid is suffering in the desert.
[Mika, to be blunt, if the situation is as you described, it might be better to treat the artillery as nonexistent. Aside from the sandstorm issues, there are considerable problems when considering the area where you want artillery support based on the range of the artillery.]
While subtly contacting Nagisa, I asked for support from the artillery division, but it seems that’s not a viable option. Unlike Kaiser’s excavation site, which is relatively accessible due to its location on the outskirts of Abydos, the ruins occupied by Saint Nephthys are located in the heart of the Abydos desert.
“Phew. It can’t be helped. Yeah, I’m sorry for being so insistent.”
[Huh? I wouldn’t say it’s particularly insistence. Um… Mika, are you really resting properly over there? You don’t seem to be in great shape.]
“Hahaha. I’m resting well, so you don’t need to worry too much, Nagisa-chan.”
[That’s a relief, at least. If you had said otherwise, I would have immediately booked a train ticket to Abydos.]
“…I suddenly miss you tons, Nagisa-chan. Yeah. I’ve been unable to sleep well lately, and my resting place is uncomfortable. It’s been really tough, Nagisa-chan.”
[I can at least show you my face, but I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that complaint.]
As I switched to a video call, Nagisa appeared, sitting gracefully as always, processing documents. Just seeing her lifted my spirits—it truly felt like a purification of sorts.
[What the Teacher hypothesized has not been confirmed yet, Mika. However, I’d like to give you some advice regarding what to do if it turns out to be true or not.]
“Uh-huh, I’m listening.”
[If it turns out that the hypothesis proposed by the Teacher is false and that the said Oparz is merely a device causing desertification, then you can destroy it as originally planned. However, if it isn’t and it’s truly a powerful object capable of manipulating the climate…it would complicate things, but its potential for use would be immense. Not only could it be employed to improve the situation in Abydos, but it could also always maintain the environment of agricultural lands in optimal condition and minimize damage caused by natural phenomena—]
“…Wait a minute. Nagisa-chan, we have to approach this part cautiously. Before looking at the good points, I inherently have a negative feeling about the existence of an object capable of manipulating the climate. If even one person harbors malice, it would be too easy to misuse. And if it’s an Oparz of that caliber, there’s also the question of what kind of fuel it uses to operate—electricity? Fossil fuels? Other forms of energy, or something we haven’t even considered?”
The previous Student Council President had claimed that it was an Oparz that sacrificed ‘God.’ Given that it’s presumed the Nameless Priests made some sort of deal regarding the Teacher’s Shinpi, I think it’s not impossible for that ‘God’ to refer to a student.
If it’s an Oparz that manipulates the climate using the Shinpi of a student as its power source, there’s no need to consider any positive returns from it. In this case, absolute destruction is the only answer.
[Phew. That’s how it is. It’s undoubtedly a power too dangerous for any single group to handle, much less to be entrusted to the Student Council. Now that we’ve talked about unconfirmed matters to this extent… it feels like we should discuss something else a little.]
“Something else…?”
[Show me your arm.]
…Ah. She showed no signs of falling for my persuasion, and I can’t believe I just said that to Nagisa.
“Here.”
However, I won’t back down. The bruise has already faded. I can proudly show it.
With that thought, I raised my arm to show her, and Nagisa silently brought the teacup to her lips.
…Why is she acting so anxiously?
[Mika.]
“Uh, yes?”
[It’s indeed a good thing for your body to be sturdy. Isn’t it? Your recovery is quite swift too.]
“Well, it is good, I guess. Uh…”
[Do you think you can handle it? No, I know you can, but you should still exercise some caution, right? Even if everything is chaotic as it is, if you keep charming anyone you meet like this… more people will end up feeling hurt.]
I knew she didn’t mean it for me, but that it wouldn’t be surprising if she was the one feeling the hurt the most.
“N-No! This is totally unfair! I could easily take a few shells from the artillery, but that kid would have been out of commission after just two shots.”
[While that does sound fair, I also know that you’re the type who would intentionally aim for something like that.]
Nagisa, with her half-opened eyes, placed her teacup down and put her hands together on the table. Even amidst the enticing gaze that was both intellectual and tinged with possessiveness, I hurried to clarify.
“Ah! W-Well, think about it, Nagisa-chan. It’s not odd for the queen in chess to protect the other pieces, right? Well, it’s not like that’s easy to counter because of the queen’s value. It’s kind of similar.”
[It seems somewhat similar but different… Even if Hina mentioned something similar, I think you need to value your body a bit more, Mika. Yes, your body isn’t just yours alone.]
“…Yeah, you’re right.”
[I meant it in its literal sense, so please don’t misunderstand. It kind of feels like my heart bears more scars each time you get hurt.]
“Aha… sorry, Nagisa-chan. But I really shouldn’t get hurt, so can you be a bit more understanding?”
[Yes, yielding is always on my side… When you return, I might take a little vacation too. I can’t help but feel resentful that you’ve gone off somewhere so far, having just resolved one problem.]
Nagisa pouted a bit after she released her fingers intertwined in worry, twirling her hair with her fingers. It’s one of the usual gestures people make when they want to say something but find it hard to articulate.
“But I’m having a tough time here too…”
[That would be self-inflicted karma. Just remember that you should obtain something for the amount of hardship you endure. I won’t stand by while my person wears themselves out for another academy without any reward.]
“Wow—woah… that was a little too sweet, Nagisa-chan! Who taught you that line?”
[Huh? Who taught me? It’s not like that…]
“Hahaha, it’s just a joke, so no need to take it seriously. Yeah, I’m confident I’d feel excited about anything our Nagisa-chan says!”
[…Sometimes, I feel like you’re being too dramatic. Even if I badmouth you, you wouldn’t get excited, would you?]
“Hmm…? Hmm…”
Nagisa badmouthing me…? Hmm…
I’m not particularly into being insulted.
Imagining Nagisa glancing at me like she was looking at trash, saying, “Who did you let have your body this time? Such garbage. Instead of dying, how about kneeling and begging for forgiveness?” made me feel a bit…
[Why are you thinking so hard?]
“Possibly…”
[…?!]
With a face blushing bright red, Nagisa looked shocked, and honestly… that expression completely wiped her usual mature and intellectual beauty away.
Seeing her wide, surprised eyes fixed on me was more than enough to straighten my wavering mindset.
Her relief when I called it a joke was also cute. I wonder if it’s just me being curious about what kind of reaction she’d have if I honestly confessed that it was serious?
[But Mika.]
“Yeah?”
[You’ve been subtly moving your hand this whole time, haven’t you?]
“…”
[Show me your leg, right now.]
“Nagisa-chan, there are things in this world that are better left unknown, you know?”
[You’re referring to things that are better left unknown for yourself. If you don’t show me, you better be prepared when you return.]
“Hahaha.”
In the end, unable to resist her insistence, I exposed my lower body. After confirming that Hina was lying with her head on my knees and my hand was on her head, Nagisa spoke after a moment of hesitation.
[…When you come back, I’ll allow you to do the same to me.]
Surely, Nagisa is the kindest person in Trinity.
…Though, between Serina and Mari, it would be a fierce competition. Still, I’m rooting for our Nagisa.
