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Chapter 17
The discussion over the size of the inspection party, which had seemed as though it would go on forever, was quickly wrapped up once the Governor-General, who had been leaning back on the sofa, finally joined the meeting.
The conclusion went like this:
“Neither of you is entirely wrong. However, we’ll keep the inspection party small. Rather than an official inspection, I intend to go quietly—more like traveling incognito.”
“Colonel! At the very least, you should take a platoon with you! With the threat of terrorism at any moment, we are concerned for your safety!”
“If you were truly worried about my safety, you should have crushed the terrorists long ago. Then there’d be no need for me to go incognito at all, would there?”
“Your Excellency…”
“Captain Werner, do not argue with His Excellency’s decision. Who would dare question the Governor-General?”
Herald cut off Werner’s raised voice.
“I am not saying whether it is right or wrong—I merely requested reconsideration!”
“And by what authority do you request reconsideration from His Excellency?”
“As the military commander stationed at the Governor-General’s Office.”
“As I understand it, even in terms of military rank, His Excellency stands far above Captain Werner.”
“The military and the Governor-General’s Office are clearly separate entities. Except in emergencies, dual roles are not permitted—and this is not an emergency. And Herald, step back now! I am speaking with His Excellency.”
As the argument between the two flared up yet again, the man seated at the head of the table pressed his fingers hard against his temples. Vivian, having received no particular orders, remained seated on the sofa, quietly observing the meeting.
Herald, the Minister of the Interior, and Werner, a captain from the military.
Even Vivian, who had only glimpsed the meeting for a short while, could tell that because of the petty ambitions driving these two men, the Governor-General’s plans were being thwarted at every turn.
When intentions fail to unite, the ship splits apart.
As a result, those who served them lived with an inexplicable sense of unease.
It wouldn’t be so bad if the Governor-General’s Office really did split in two…
So long as they had any sense, however, they wouldn’t keep up such childish squabbling until it came to that.
Vivian sipped at the tea she didn’t even like, watching them like a spectator.
“That’s enough. Werner, let me ask you something.”
The Governor-General finally put a stop to the clash, which had been going on for who knew how many minutes.
“If I go out with a platoon-sized escort, can that perfectly block a bullet fired from who knows where?”
Unable to stand it any longer, he posed the question in reverse.
During the conquest war to occupy the Kingdom of Roseatea, only the Trahaput Empire had fought using firearms.
But that was fifteen years ago.
In the fifteen years since the Empire had ruled the kingdom, various technologies had been introduced, bringing convenience—not just to daily life, but beyond that.
Firearms, once new weapons, were no longer new.
Even without being given the relevant technologies, they had seen rifles and revolvers that corrected the old flaws that had made them impractical in real combat. They didn’t stop at merely imitating imperial weapons—they went further, improving them.
One such result was the long-range sniper rifle.
No one could tell how they had modified it, but from distances where accuracy should have dropped sharply, they still managed to hit their targets—firing from places you couldn’t even see.
That was why Hemel was asking Werner whether bringing along a platoon would really help them avoid long-distance sniping.
“No, not perfectly… but if something like that happens, we can respond quickly.”
“In that case, minimizing numbers and concealing ourselves is the more rational choice.”
“But, Your Excellency, they won’t have many of those modified rifles. The probability is low.”
“A low probability?”
“Yes. In fact, the last time that sniper appeared was in a place at least a two-day walk from the capital—and that was two months ago.”
Seeing that Hemel seemed to be listening, Werner continued in a confident voice.
“A man who used to cause a major incident at least once a month hasn’t shown himself since. He may have died in the meantime.”
“Do you know who that sniper is?”
But once again, Werner overlooked something. Hemel was a meticulous man in all matters.
“Whether they’re male or female, an estimated age, where they live.”
“No.”
“There are records indicating activity centered around the capital, but that person seems to go anywhere if there’s an opportunity. So—has an unidentified corpse even been found?”
“…No.”
“Then are you telling me to gamble my life on a ‘low probability’?”
“N-No, sir!”
At Hemel’s words, Werner went pale as he hastily denied it. To scheme for the death of a governor appointed by imperial command was a serious crime.
Glancing at the clock on the table, Hemel stood up.
Thanks to starting the day far too early, it still wasn’t even noon.
“It seems everything’s settled. Let’s go.”
“…Pardon?”
“Go where?”
At the dazed questions from the officials, Hemel—who had been heading toward the woman seated on the sofa—abruptly turned around.
“Where else? The inspection.”
“R-Right now? Today?”
“What’s there to dawdle about? We’ve made the decision—so let’s go. And Miss Logia is still here, too.”
At that, the woman who had been looking up at Hemel as he approached dropped the cookie she’d been holding.
She had already finished almost all the refreshments that had been brought out. The contrast with how she’d only taken a tiny bite earlier, after orders had been mentioned, made Hemel chuckle.
Passing by the woman frozen in place, Hemel picked up the fallen cookie and set it on the table in front of the sofa.
“If you enter someone else’s space, you should at least tidy up, Logia.”
He said it quietly, so only she could hear, as he straightened up. Logia flinched, then glared at him.
“This is already the second time. How many times do I have to tell you the same thing?”
His voice, clearly holding back laughter, tickled her ears.
By then, Hemel had already smoothed his expression and casually turned back to the officials.
“What are you standing around for? Get ready.”
Vivian stared at him with her mouth slightly open as he calmly directed the officials.
Part of it was because of what he’d said so only she could hear—but more than that, it was his sheer decisiveness in declaring they’d leave for the inspection immediately.
The officials weren’t the only ones shocked by his insistence on going right away.
I haven’t slept a wink…
Just maintaining her sanity right now made Vivian want to lavish herself with praise.
Setting aside the fact that she hadn’t slept deeply for several days in a row, today she hadn’t slept even a single minute. Going on an inspection now would be a forced march rivaling even the grueling Rothe training sessions.
Oh, gods above.
But Vivian had no way to change a decision that even the officials couldn’t overturn. In the end, she set out on the inspection as well.
Can this really be called an inspection?
His claim that he wanted to go quietly, incognito, hadn’t been a lie—the group was so small it was almost embarrassing to call it an inspection party.
Since they couldn’t advertise that they were on an official inspection, the Governor-General, who usually wore a uniform, instead put on a black shirt. It matched his glossy black hair perfectly.
His overwhelming presence hadn’t disappeared, but she’d thought that without his uniform, he might be easier to deal with.
“Sit comfortably.”
Unfortunately, those words had never felt so uncomfortable. Riding in the same car made the road to the plaza unbearably awkward.
Vivian doubted her ears at what the Governor-General suddenly said to her.
Me?
Come here.
Are you talking to me?
Yes, Miss Logia. Don’t make me say it twice.
Your Excellency! Surely you don’t mean—
“How could I possibly make a precious guide walk?”
He seated Vivian beside him, instead of having her walk or ride in a following carriage as she’d intended.
She couldn’t tell whether it was a reward or a punishment. If it was a reward, she wanted none of it. No—if it was something he gave her, she wanted nothing from him at all.
Everything he could give her had originally been hers. If she couldn’t reclaim it in full, then receiving anything was meaningless.
The hair he usually slicked tightly back now fluttered lightly over his forehead. When the automobile, which had been stopped at a signal, began to move, a breeze came in through the half-open window.
Staring blankly at the way his hair moved, Vivian quickly turned her head away when she met his blue eyes.
“I told you to sit comfortably—you look even more uncomfortable now.”
He spoke as he looked at Vivian, who had awkwardly leaned back against the seat.
Though imperial technology had brought many advances, automobiles were still luxuries reserved for wealthy nobles. So it was only natural that Vivian—more accustomed to being called Logia than Vivian Roseatea—had never ridden in one before.
Hiding her faintly flushed cheeks, Vivian lowered her head. When she heard the Governor-General’s soft laughter, she turned her face completely toward the opposite window.
The driver guided the car smoothly through the gentle silence, tinged with a hint of amusement.
She’d looked out the window just to avoid his gaze, but before she knew it, Vivian was staring intently at the rapidly changing streets.
Noticing this, the perceptive driver lowered the window on Vivian’s side halfway as well.
Bare tree branches, people’s breath puffing in the air, the blue winter sky.
They were all familiar sights, yet seen through a window, they felt different—as if the scenery had been framed into paintings by the window itself.
When they reached the bustling district, the car slowed despite the absence of traffic signals.
But the brief peace Vivian had found didn’t last long.
“Ah—Aaaah! I’m sorry! I-I did something wrong!”
A woman’s piercing scream suddenly cut through the street noise. At the same time, a sudden stop sent Vivian’s body lurching forward.
Through narrowed lids, the Governor-General’s eyes were revealed as they fixed on the driver via the rearview mirror.
