By the time Saori, who had been sobbing silently while being comforted by Atsuko, finally stopped crying, the halos above all the squad members' heads were shining brightly once more.
"...Forget it."
Saori's eyes and face were still red as she said it, but… come on, how could anyone just forget that?
Hiyori was darting her eyes around nervously, Azusa was staring at me with an unreadable expression, and Misaki was just blankly looking up at the catacomb ceiling. The one thing they all had in common was that after seeing Saori cry, they had all pretended not to notice and looked away. It was a small gesture of consideration that offered a glimpse into what Saori meant to these kids.
"If you hadn't said that, we could've just moved on, Leader. Besides, the Princess is talking, is this really okay?" Misaki asked.
"...I don't know," Saori mumbled.
"Ehehe... Um, I don't really get why only the Princess isn't tied up with the rest of us. I'm totally useless, so you didn't need to bother tying me up... This is uncomfortable and painful..." Hiyori whimpered.
Ah, she had a point. If I'd had more rope, I wouldn't have tied them all together in the first place. And if the one rope I did have was shorter, I would have just tied up Azusa and Saori. As long as I confiscated their weapons, Hiyori and Misaki were basically zero threat.
...Would it be rude to say they're zero threat even
with their weapons?
"Ahaha, I left Atsuko-chan untied because I wanted to talk to her separately. And also because she was awake before I even started tying people up. I'm pretty sure I only shot Hiyori-chan twice, but Atsuko-chan, who got hit three times, woke up before her, so I don't think that was my fault," I explained.
"Waaaaaah!!! S-so it's my fault for being weak! It's bad enough being weak, but now it's a sin, too! Life is so painful... B-but if I get stronger, it'll just be more p-painful... S-so, in the end, both paths are wrong, aren't they…?"
"Sorry, sorry, Hiyori-chan! I'll untie you as soon as Azusa-chan promises to behave. Azusa-chan is as quick as a squirrel, and it'll be a pain if she starts running wild, you know."
I met Azusa's gaze as I spoke. Between her guerrilla tactics with booby traps and her nimble movements, she was definitely the most annoying member of the squad to deal with. I knew from firsthand experience that Saori was stronger. They both came at me until they were completely battered, but Saori lasted a little longer. Not that it really mattered to me, since neither of them managed to land a significant hit on me the entire time.
"Leader," Azusa said, looking to Saori.
"Azusa... It seems she has no intention of harming us. The Princess's safety has been guaranteed, and I have decided to trust this woman."
"'This woman' is a little harsh, you know. How about you just call me Mika? I know we're the same age," I cut in.
"...Understood. I will do so from now on."
"You're not going to fight anymore, Leader? Even if all is in vain, we must not stop resisting," Azusa pressed.
"...You'll probably get along with Mika better than I will, but yes. The resistance is over. This mission is a failure. Even if these ropes come off right now, I won't move until we've finished talking."
Azusa glanced at Saori, then back at me. I still had no idea what she was thinking, but then she suddenly nodded.
"She doesn't seem to be trying to deceive us. So if that is your decision, Leader, I will follow it."
"Ahaha! Good thinking. Now we can finally have a proper conversation."
...Sigh.
It wasn't easy, but we finally made it. My actions had effectively prevented the entire Eden Treaty arc from ever happening. Once I deal with Beatrice, things should get a little less hectic… no, who am I kidding?
If anything, I'll have even more to deal with concerning Arius. And with diplomacy with Gehenna and Trinity's internal issues, I'm destined to be buried in work. Most of it is my own doing, though... I really don't know what I would've done if I hadn't made all that money.
I untied the rope binding the squad to the stone pillar, but other than Azusa, no one seemed inclined to get up. So why are you the only one standing, Azusa?
"Scouting the perimeter."
"Azusa-chan... you don't need to do that, so please sit back down. This is important for you, too."
"...Alright."
After getting Azusa to sit down, I walked over to Atsuko and Saori. Atsuko, who had been beaming at a red-eyed Saori, turned her head toward me.
"Well then, now that the mood is right for a proper talk, let me introduce myself. I'm Mika Misono, a second-year at Trinity and one of the three student presidents. You can think of me as the supreme leader of the Trinity you were taught to hate. Feel free to call me whatever you like. Mika-chan, Mika-san, Mika. As long as it doesn't sound too distant, anything is fine. ☆"
"Like Mika-oneechan, for example," Atsuko chimed in.
"...Yeah, well. That's fine, too."
This girl, Atsuko, she's smiling like a sunflower and won't take her eyes off me. Did I really make that much of an impression on her?
I mean, I'd be happy to have a cute little sister... but she's being so obvious about it that I'm getting worried I might disappoint her somehow.
"...I'll call you Mika," Misaki said, though her empty eyes were still fixed on the ceiling. She definitely needs some intensive care and counseling. Not that there are many students in Arius who don't.
"Me too," Azusa added. Well, I expected that from her. She would have started calling me that eventually, even if I hadn't said anything.
"Ehehe... Th-then, can I call you Mika-chan? I will? I'm going to...? Since you gave me permission, it's okay for someone like me to do that, right...?" Hiyori stammered.
"Of course, I prefer it when you call me whatever you're comfortable with. And having you call me so familiarly makes me feel like we're already friends... It's a nice feeling. ☆"
"N-nothing good will come from being friends with someone like me, Mika-chan... My life is just an endless cycle of pain and hardship. So if you get close to me, you'll j-just get dragged into it too. Ehehe... Maybe it's better if we don't get too close..."
"Ahaha, in that case, I'll help you find as much happiness as you've had pain and hardship. And there's nothing wrong with getting dragged into happy things, right?"
"M-Mika-chan... Waaaaaaah!!!"
"There, there, it's okay. From now on, I'll be your umbrella."
As I patted the back of Hiyori, who had practically thrown herself into my arms, I had a thought. There are two crybabies in this squad: our Saori and Hiyori.
"...Mika. Did you just think something you shouldn't have?"
"Hey, no way~."
No, seriously. A woman's intuition? It's a real thing. For everyone but me, apparently. Why is it that I'm the only one who doesn't get that kind of cheat skill? Is this discrimination because my soul is a guy's...?
"Anyway, Saori, do you guys have enough medical supplies? If not, I'll take care of things up top and then bring you whatever you need. I know it's not really my place to say this after beating you and Azusa up like that... but you're both in pretty bad shape right now. So, sorry about that."
"...No. We don't need them. Giving us high-quality medical supplies would only make Madame suspicious. Even if you help us, not everything can be solved in an instant, right? We can't let her find out we've betrayed her. I, especially, have to be careful, since I meet with her more often than anyone."
"Hmm... You're right. That was shortsighted of me. Well, I guess it can't be helped... Sorry for being so rough."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. This is simply a story of you being stronger than us, Mika. If Azusa and I had been stronger, we wouldn't even be having this peaceful conversation. If anything, we should be thanking you."
Wow, Saori has a way with words. And with that handsome face, the red from crying creates this incredible gap moe effect. As I was admiring her, something else caught my eye.
I reached out and gently took off her cap. I ran my finger over the embroidered text: ECC. 12:8.
"...What are you doing."
"Vanitas vanitatum, dixit Ecclesiastes, et omnia vanitas. 'Vanity of vanities,' saith the Preacher, 'all is vanity.' Death is inevitable, and therefore life is fleeting and vain. A life that does not follow the ten commandments given by the Primordial Divinity is naught but vanity, so serve the Primordial Divinity, but find joy in a life of vanity."
Though I was once completely ignorant of the Bible, I've made an effort to adapt to this life by listening to audio versions of what they call the scriptures here, and even taking the time to read them myself. I live a life that appears devout, even though my heart does not serve God. It's a contradictory existence, but because of that, I can offer these kids a different perspective.
"This is my interpretation of the maxim that Beatrice twisted to mean 'all is vain, so do not even hope.' You engraved this phrase here to mend your broken spirit, so I hope that hearing an interpretation that's a little closer to the original teaching will help you in the days to come."
"...'Do not sin, and find what happiness you can in life,' is that it?"
"Ahaha, yep. That's how I see it, at least. If things go well, you'll have a chance to talk with the sisters from Trinity, so I recommend you have a chat with them later. I was just in their care recently, and it wasn't a bad experience."
I handed the cap back to Saori. Now, it was time to talk about the obstacle blocking the path to a better life for these kids: Beatrice.
"Beatrice, the current student president who rules the Arius district... She and the instructors who beat you into submission must be expelled. This isn't something I can solve on my own, so it will take some time. At the very least, I'll need to mobilize Trinity's Justice Task Force and the Relief Knights."
The Justice Task Force and the Relief Knights should be enough to subdue the Arius district and drive out Beatrice. They would have been enough even if the Squad were our enemies, but now that they're on our side, taking down the Arius Branch School will be a piece of cake. The Justice Task Force is under the Tea Party, so mobilizing them won't be a problem. As for the Relief Knights, I already secured a promise of help from Mine, so I should be able to get their support. Hmm... no. If we're going to overwhelm them with numbers, it'd be better to bring in the Sisterhood as well. I should meet with Mine and Sakurako again as soon as possible.
"As soon as we're ready on our end, you'll need to guide us into the Arius district. To do that, you'll have to go back there and get the cipher that lets you navigate the catacombs."
"Don't look so sorry, Mika-oneechan. This is something only we can do, and it's for our own sake, so of course we'll do it. Right, Sat-chan?" Atsuko said.
"Yes, that's right. I won't let Madame find out, no matter what. And even if she does, I'd rather die than talk."
"You can't do that, Saori-chan. Beatrice would use Atsuko-chan or Azusa-chan to break you. So you absolutely cannot get caught."
"...You have a point. I'll take that to heart."
Personally, I'm hoping Gematria stays out of this. I have no desire to meet them face-to-face. What good would it do me to attract their unnecessary attention? I just wish they'd act like the Sensei-fans they are and wait patiently for him to arrive.
"First, a question. The bomb that destroys halos. Is it in Beatrice's possession right now?"
"No, I've never heard of such a dangerous object."
Does that mean one less thing to worry about? No, she might have it but just hasn't told the Squad about its existence. After all, Atsuko's gas mask, made with help from Black Suit of Gematria, definitely exists. It's always best to assume the worst to avoid the worst.
"I see. Leave Beatrice to us. You could even think of this as part of Trinity's atonement. Just opening the path for us is more than enough."
"...I refuse. I have a debt to repay to Madame personally. The Squad will assist you to the very end, Mika."
I had a feeling Saori would say that... and seeing the expressions on the other girls' faces, it looks like 'no' isn't an option. Even Misaki looks determined, so that settles it.
"...Alright. In that case, Atsuko-chan, take this."
"Is this... a power bank?"
"I brought it assuming things would go well, so you could contact me when you need to. I know how bad things are in Arius. And this is a portable Wi-Fi router. I'm not sure if it'll work in the Arius district... but it's better to have it to stay in touch."
I gave it to Atsuko instead of Saori because she seemed less likely to get caught with these items. Saori meets with Beatrice more than anyone else in the squad.
"If this all works out, I'm planning to pull some strings to have Arius re-integrated into Trinity as one of its factions. And this time, you don't have to worry about being persecuted for having a different interpretation of the scriptures. I've already secured the cooperation of the Sisterhood's leader. ☆"
It's not like I'm doing this for them, but... look how hard I'm working to clear all these obstacles for you. So please, President of the General Student Council, I'm going to make sure the Eden Treaty is a success, so please give me a good cut of the profits. Please. Pretty please.