Vol 5 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Part 1

The runway that stretched on endlessly

Sliding into the runway that was glearadually slowed down

The airport that had been nothing but a speck slowly increased in detail and the control tower directing the airshi+p became visible to even the naked eye───

A tremor

Because of the shake fro, his body that was secured by the seatbelt jittered slightly

“Oh─ It looks like we’ve arrived safely”

“It’s about time”

Confir that the airshi+p had come to a complete stop, Sheltis stood up from his seat

“Okay, now the─n, Ymy-sama, this way─; make sure to follow me, okay?”

“Y-yes!”

First was Ishtar leading Ymy

Behind them were the General Affairs Bureau Chief, his female private secretary and the two clerks

“Coe went on ahead”

“I’e of the one furthest to the back so it’s fine It’s easier to work if I’m a little further away”

His protege were the old man, the General Affairs Bureau Chief, the female private secretary and the two clerks

Standing ahead of the four walking together was Monica, Kagura and Vaiel were flanking the left and right and Sheltis was behind all of them

“Oh, it’s quieter than I thought it would be”

Advancing down the pedway connected to the airshi+p led theate on the second floor of the airport [T/N: 出発 is departure Don’t knohy they’re arriving through a departures gate]

The infor else in the giant hall were couidance staff that should be working in the hall were nowhere to be seen

It was a given that machine crystal <ilis> would question it; there were far too little people around

“It looks like they reserved the airport”

“So it’s that an airport with nobody in it provides coh”

They proceeded down the path froate towards the airport’sthat they wouldn’t ardless of how much they went ahead

“Okay, o─kay, everyone, stop This is the arrangedplace─”

With that, Ishtar as ahead came to a stop with a smile

“Aplace?”

“That’s right, Y as a secretary for the Governuide us ……Oh, maybe it’s that person? That’s them, that’s them O─i!”

Look around at the surroundings, Ishtar suddenly raised a hand

A woman of small build in a white suit slowlyeyes with black-rireen hair was cut short

“Everyone, I’ made you wait I am the Governeneral affairs division ── diploi Let us have a favorable relationshi+p by all means”

The woerated action

“Especially towards the Priestess-saratitude as a representative of the Govern all this way from the distant Tenketsu Palace <sophia> As you can see, I aive it in the name of complete security”

The Governuide lines were said in a practiced tone

“Heh─, so you’re known as Yuragi-san I’─”

“Yes, let us be ae(?) Elish since we don’t have set forms]

Yuragi replied to Ishtar with a business smile

“Well then, Y this tie you entrusted to us at the airport has also been carried to Ymy-sama’s room”

“I-is that so? Thank you very much”

“That is also our job”

The secretary pushed on the bridge of her black-rilasses with a smile

“Today is the day we should commemorate the first tirounds……or so I’d like to say, but we of the Governmental Sector do not knoe should react to this situation”

“……Is that so?”

“We also had thoughts of a grand welcome but there was also the chance ouldn’t make it in tihest floor of the airport but even that was only reserved yesterday”

“A hotel reservation!?”

Y in response to the secretary’s words

“I……I’ve never received such treatment even at Tenketsu Palace <sophia>”

“There are uards at Tenketsu Palace <sophia> but I don’t believe there is a necessity to bring such excess defenses here Ishtar-sama’s prowess has also reached the Governmental Sector”

“Heeh─ But being co so?”

“Who knows? That’s not soeneral affairs division would be privy to”

She brushed off Ishtar’s doubts with a smile

“……Soives off a very Governmental Sector feel”

“It’s impossible to know her character?”

“Yeah, well, it can’t be helped if there’s doubt”

The island with no eniously hidden facility And the water tank breeding a Yuugenshu Whether that would be cleared up would be following the uard down at other times either

“Sheltis”

Monica as staying at the General Affairs Bureau Chief’s side approached without a sound In a suppressed voice low enough that it would be erased by footsteps and wouldn’t be heard at all by anyone

“I’ll tell you one thing about this female secretary”

“Yeah?”

“The first sector……that is to say, she’s a spy for Tenketsu Palace <sophia> that’s in the central division of the Governmental Sector She’s part of an iathering information”

“Eh……ehh!?”

“Shh, you’re too loud It’s secret information, so be careful”

“I get it but……is that for real?”

Tenketsu Palace <sophia> was dispatching spies to the Governmental Sector Sheltis had also heard those rumors when he was an Elite Guard but he didn’t think they actually existed

What’s more, that secretary was one?

Her ood, as well as her manners, and there was no doubt she was a person from the Governmental Sector

“Since when have you known, Monica?”

“Ymy-sama told me aboard the airshi+p It’s information nobody other than Cadres Guard Ishtar and the General Affairs Bureau Chief should know so be careful”

“……What an a person”

Getting into the central division of was already of excessive difficulty

One wouldn’t be employed by the Govern and being ordinary wouldn’t cut it when spying and sending information to Tenketsu Palace <sophia>

“Now then, Yo down the elevator over there, ill soon arrive at the hotel on the highest floor of the airport”

Whether knowing or unknowing

The bespectacled secretary at the head of their group wore an un smile

Part 2

Public integrated hotel, [Asterhyth the starry night”]

The first class lodgings monitored by the Govern various facilities such an exercise gym in the vast ceremonies hall, a pool as a e

In the lobby Yorous handshakes and voices of adoration that greeted her froarbage collectors and the girls that were part-ti It didn’t stop at the hall either as workers were lined up all the way to the next path

“……Oh, my, my?”

Stopping at the gate, Y of people before her

……Thisme?

……But Yuragi-san just said that they barely reserved the hotel

“All of the hotel staff here have been awaiting Ymy-sama’s arrival For the purpose of safety, the airport was unstaffed but, of course, we can’t have a hotel without its ers or chefs and other staff”

“Ah, I see That’s right!”

“Yes My apologies, did it surprise you?”

Yuragi was s as usual

“Ymy-sama and Ishtar-sama are this way and the others shall be escorted by the respective person in charge of them”

“O─kay, well then, Yo this way!”

“Eh……y-yeah”

Being pushed on by Ishtar, Yi who had went ahead

Part 3

Room number 700, [Asterhythm]

The instant she opened the rooentle breeze with the sweet and sour scent of citrus fruits wafted over her hair

“……It’s strange”

Standing in the center of the living rooain looked over the rooestured 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──

“Ae 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 s The sound of the island is genuine and co archipelago <lagoon> Also, the ceiling can be lass 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 shi+ning 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 a”

The Priestesses’ private rooms at 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 becoht, the sky becomes really beautiful

“Ohbroadly─?”

“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, Y 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

“Governeneral affairs division as well as Tenketsu Palace <sophia> [Independent] special duties agency, Yuragi A Soh support on Ymy-sama’s special mission”

“…………”

“Is there so?”

“N-no!……It’s the first tiency so I was a little surprised”

Yi’s extremely deep bow

The special duties agency was not affiliated with any bureau of Tenketsu Palace <sophia> Starting with the Governathered information in various places Meimel had told her that her senior Priestesses knew but it was her first ti them

“If I were to say, it’s farfor a person to talk to the Priestess-sama like this”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes, but I’lad 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……ait! U that conversation here”

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

This was already the floating archipelago <lagoon> that the Governmental Sector monitored What’s more, this hotel was directly linked to the Governi herself; wouldn’t having a conversation related to Tenketsu Palace <sophia> here be bad?

“U”

“I checked thisdevices in this roo 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 Tenketsu Palace side’s <our> cos for the assembly that starts to 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 ains on that end are for the General Affairs Bureau Chief to handle Yotiations but to flaunt your status as a guardian of the floating continent <orbie clar=””> That will become a heavy pressure on the Govern else”

“Fl-flaunt……?”

She held back the impulse to draay

“Ymy-sama〜?”

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

“Y ‘Priestess-like’, aren’t you〜?”

“……Eh……ah, umm, a little”

While casting her gaze down at the carpet underfoot, she replied nor froiven was out of the question

“First of all, for the good will ht, 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 fro because of nervousness……isn’t allowed, is it?”

“It’s not”

She was refused with a smile

“Say─ say─, Yuragi-chan? That good willis 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 o 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! Meio because it would be fun”

“Mei that time as well, she was mostly under my care”

Meimel did?……I didn’t know

I’d heard that this was the first ti the Governh

“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, e your clothes?”

Part 4

Room number 301, [Lily] [T/N: The kanji for this is 姫百合 It’s literally “princess lily” For those of you more informed, the 百合 part is “yuri” And yes, that kanji combination is -that- yuri]

It was a room that was separated froe hall Different froular patrons could lodge here

“Fumu, fuhly the same Our room as well as the General Affairs Bureau Chief’s room are of the sae’s room structure and can react to even the one in ten thousand occurrences”

Gazing at the hotel’s paura folded her arms in satisfaction

“Was this Monica’s idea?”

“I asked them to to acconed with ours but it’s great that that was granted……Sheltis and Vaiel, come over here as well”

Monica spread a rough sketch of the hotel atop the table Using red and blue ink pens, eight room sections were cleanly divided by color

“First, this 300 roohboring one to the left is our roo that is the private secretary’s room, Sheltis’ room, the clerks’ room and after that──”

“Rather the ie’s rooht?”

Vaiel was glaring at the rough sketch with a look like it was a pain

“If there’s even a slight distrust on the side of either the escort or the protege, there won’t be any contact between the tell, I don’t think there’s anything”

“Being careless is forbidden By the way, Kagura, I’d like to confirain”

Monica slowly took so out from her pocket

“Yes There were no listening devices It’s fine to speak normally”

“Understood”

The thing that Monica was holding slipped from her hand

Clack ── a transparent shard hit the top of the table It looked like a crystal but the shape of its cracks suggested a different object

“Reinforced glass, I see If I were to na like it that’s familiar, it would be the Tenketsu Palace <sophia>’s hich are h value but it is also used in experimental apparatuses like water tanks or flasks”

Water tanks

Sheltis looked at Monica’s face reflexively upon hearing the term that machine crystal <ilis> used

“Monica, is this”

“It’s a fragment of the water tank we found on that island; an answer finally came from Tenketsu Palace <sophia>’s analysis team last week”

The group of three consisting of hio <lagoon> It was a frag water tank

“And this is froura were attacked by the caster Maha”

Monica pulled out another glass crystal This was a fragenshu water tank that [Golden] Maha had been protecting

The two shards fell onto the center of the table It was reflective almost like a mirror

“According to the analysis team, the composition of these two is completely the same”

“……I see”

Sheltis exhaled while slightly biting together his molars

The Yuugenshu water tank that was suspected to belong to the Governenshu water tank that [Golden] Maha was protecting were the same In the case that the Governenshu water tank, there was also the possibility that Maha was an assassin of the Governmental Sector

“……We should also be prepared to receive an attack on this island”

“It’s fine, Kagura, because you figured out Maha’s techniques that time”

Sheltis gave a slight nod to the girl with a machine helmet who looked up at him with unease

“We’ll get through this time too I’ll also do my best Okay?”

“Th-that’s right!……I’ll also support you With that, you understand, right, Vaiel; do the escort properly!”

“Haah? Why are you turning to me?”

“You are the most worrisome Ah, hey, don’t look the other way and pay attention here!”

“……O! damn you, don’t just twist people’s necks by force!”

Kagura and Vaiel started to quarrel

Looking on with an astonished face, Monica sighed

“……Jeez, there’s no tension at all Even though ere in the middle of a discussion”

She co that, she let her vision wander in space as though in thought……in the end, the one who spoke first was machine crystal <ilis>

“Right, right Speaking of which, how did it go? The relationshi+p repairing you did with Ymy onboard the airshi+p”

“W-wait, wait We weren’t fighting or anything to begin with!?”

She smacked the top of the table in her assertion

Though with that said, her face from her cheeks to her ears was a brilliant red color

“A-anye decided that we’d act as before in non-public places”

“Is that so I’lad”

Before co here, he had talked with Ymy in advance That she should treasure the time with Monica on this mission

“But a mission is a mission and Ymy understands that as well so we’ll hold back──”

Just as she was about to stand from the chair

The door that should have been locked opened and someone ran in

“O〜kay Everyone gather in the lobby, we’re going on a tour with everyone!”

“Come ooon, Monica-san, come quick! We’ll leave you behind if you’re slow?”

Ishtar stood in front of the door and beckoned

“Yuragi-chan said she’d guide us There are carts and food stalls and you can eat as much as you want? It’s fine, we can draw out money from Tenketsu Palace <sophia>’s finances!”

“……My……Our unit’s first mission is……an all-your-can-eat tour……”

“C-co that, after all”

For the ti, Sheltis comforted the unit captain that had been moved to tears

Part 5

Governmental Sector, central area, Triumphal Arch

It had been about half an hour since getting on a large transport vehicle when they caht

Guessing by sight, the height was four or five metres The width ell over twice that Of course, it was a scale that would allow this large transport vehicle and even a large arh easily

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

Yuragi descended froate

“The central area is fro continent <orbie clar=””>, this area would be synonyency known as the ‘Governmental Sector‘ Around this area is as you know”

“……That’s a large gate It’s white and large like Tenketsu Palace <sophia>”

Yhed 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 ti continent <orbie clar=””> to this floating archipelago <lagoon>, it was a gift conferred by Tenketsu Palace <sophia> as a proof of friendshi+p The pure white color is as Ye of 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 so that looked like a touris, 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 ide enough to have a footrace on

The surface was a glossy black The round also seeround’s hardness couldn’t be felt when they walked on it It was a feeling like walking atop a cushi+on

“Such strange i-san, what does this pavement use?”

“It’s asphalt with chemical fibres woven in I’ve heard that the Govern data on it as an experi 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 i smiled broadly in a natural fashi+on 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 seee 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 floating continent <orbie clar=””>, as well as flower shops, astrology shops, clothing and accessory shops, and even e booths Each of those was decorated with their own unique ornah that public road

“……Such a fervor; you can’t see a crowd of booths like this on the floating continent <orbie clar=””>”

“Yes The difference between this floating archipelago <lagoon> and the 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 floating continent <orbie clar=””> Within that sathered so the density naturally becae as pocket money”

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

“Go ahead, Y apple and blue lemon juice……because of the cli 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 refreshi+ng feeling is so that other drinks fall just short of