Interlude: Episode 39, or an Extract from a Certain Minutes
At the center of Hinotuchi Academy City stands a tower, known as Ariannrod, where only those chosen by the Apis Council are permitted to enter.
Above the tenth floor of this DNA helix-like structure, even ordinary students have no knowledge of what lies within.
The uppermost floor of this tower resembled a planetarium.
Projected on the ceiling were lights that shone brighter than stars, blinking irregularly.
The fact that these lights represented the cores of observable Dungeons yet to manifest in this world was of no interest to anyone present.
“――Well, since everyone’s here, let’s get started with the discussion,” said a man as he leaned back in his chair, gazing up at the glowing Dungeon cores.
Upon seeing him, Rokuhara spoke up, sounding somewhat irritated.
“Director, it seems like we’re still short on numbers.”
“Nope, this impromptu gathering could only bring you guys together. Besides, the ones who aren’t here are usually busy anyway.”
“That means we’re the ones with free time, huh? Are you picking a fight with us?” came a relaxed voice from a distance.
Without turning to look, the man addressed as Director responded.
“Not at all. S Rank students don’t have any spare time, especially those who also serve as Enforcers. We can’t afford to take up any more of your precious time. Let’s move on to the main topic.”
As the Director finished speaking, the image on the ceiling changed. It revealed a girl with silver-blue hair.
“You know her, right? She’s an exceptionally unusual S Rank explorer, just like all of you. ――Solciera.”
At the sight of her, Eina, who was sitting next to Rokuhara, screamed.
“Ugh… it’s her…”
“Eina, thank you for yesterday’s report. She is a contract holder of Demons Gear, something that shouldn’t even exist.”
“But, um… I don’t even know much about Demons Gear,” said a rather unremarkable-looking girl timidly raising her hand towards the Director.
“That information is restricted to the contract holders themselves, including Ryuko. However, you can trust that Demons Gear is on humanity’s side… except for Solciera. Perhaps Eina could explain further?”
“Huh?”
Eina glanced at Rokuhara, who urged her on with a nod of his chin.
No one else seemed inclined to help, and Ryuko, who had asked the question earlier, was now smiling faintly.
“Well, then…”
Standing up, Eina cleared her throat and began explaining.
“We were created for humanity’s benefit… but there’s no guarantee we’ll always be allies. If our contractors go rogue or if our circuits malfunction, we might act abnormally.”
In that sense, Eina could consider herself lucky to have drawn a decent contractor despite his rough edges; someone who wouldn’t turn against humanity.
“In case any of us do become enemies of humanity, there’s a safety mechanism—a secondary rationality built into us. There are certain Demon Gears designed to awaken when triggered by our betrayal. That’s Solciera.”
“So, does that mean one of the Demon Gears has turned hostile?” Ryuko inquired.
Shaking his head, the Director replied, “No, currently there’s no evidence of any Demon Gear showing signs of rebellion against humanity, whether they’re contracted or not. Thank you, Eina, you may sit down.”
After confirming Eina had sat back down, the Director continued.
“The reason for Solciera’s appearance remains unclear. We don’t even know who her contractor is. Given her recent emergence at Uroboros’ experimental facility, it’s reasonable to assume she’s part of an organization powerful enough to keep her hidden.”
Rokuhara lazily raised his hand.
“I dislike beating around the bush. Just tell us what you want us to do.”
“Yeah, I’d like to know too. What should we do with her? Can I eat her?” chimed in Tatarai.
“Ha ha ha, you two haven’t changed, Rokuhara and Tatarai.”
Laughing, the Director switched the images again, revealing an old-fashioned academy and a towering tree.
“I want you to capture Solciera. As a resource, she’s invaluable—an explorer worth her weight in gold. The Board of Directors would love to keep her under control with a collar.”
At this, both Rokuhara and Tatarai frowned.
“Wait, are you asking me to chase after mice?”
“I’m not interested if I can’t eat her.”
“Ah? Oh… well, if I get paid, I’ll do it! I’ll work hard, Ryuko!”
“Ryuko is such a good kid,” remarked the Director internally, noting how self-centered most of the students were.
“Of course, this won’t come without compensation. We’ve prepared a suitable reward.”
“…Let’s hear it.”
“I’m curious too,” echoed Tatarai and Rokuhara, their eyes finally showing interest as they looked toward the Director.
“Before that… Could someone please wake Kirika? Sayaka, could you handle that?”
Interrupting himself mid-sentence, the Director made this request.
Sayaka nodded and tapped the cheek of the sleeping girl beside her.
“Sister, wake up. This is the main topic.”
“Mm? Fff… Good morning…”
“Yes, good morning. Director, Sister is awake, so please continue.”
“Alright, understood.”
The sleepy-eyed girl seemed oblivious to the previous conversation, but it was a minor detail.
Because the Director was confident that the reward would make almost everyone jump at the opportunity.
“To whoever captures Solciera, I will grant the right to become the second Guardian of Starwood.”
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. The chaotic energy transformed into a battlefield-like tension, pressing against the skin.
“Director, those words aren’t a lie, are they?”
“Of course not.”
“…How far can I unleash Eina?”
“Hmm, filing an application for fifty percent should suffice.”
With that, Rokuhara grabbed Eina by the collar and stood up.
“Eh? Leader?”
“We’re going, Eina. Occasionally hunting mice might be fun.”
“Leader!? I already said I wanted to pass this time! Sister is seriously dangerous… Last time Lutra went berserk, she got beaten instantly!”
“Who cares?”
“No wayyyyyyyy…”
With Eina’s pitiful scream echoing, Rokuhara and the others left the scene.
Next to rise was Tatarai, the beautiful black-haired girl.
“Then I’ll go too. I don’t want that savage to steal my prize.”
With that, she vanished alongside a cloud of black smoke.
“Hey, Director, am I really becoming a Guardian?”
Kirika rushed to the Director’s side, her eyes brimming with excitement like a child awaiting Christmas presents.
“Of course.”
“Wooow! So I can fight alongside Teacher!”
“…Sister, if you become a Guardian, you’ll be fighting around the clock.”
Turning to her sister, Kirika replied with pure innocence.
“Yes, that sounds perfect!”
“…Hmm. Alright then. Let’s go. While we’re at it, I’ll ask the Royal Guard too.”
“Okay!”
The cheerful, youthful footsteps faded away, followed by quieter ones, leaving silence in their wake.
“So? What about you, Ryuko?”
The Director turned to the only remaining unremarkable girl.
“I… I think I’ll pass on that. As long as I receive proper payment, that’s fine.”
“…You truly are destined for S Rank, aren’t you?”
And thus concluded the meeting between the peaks of Academy City.
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