Case 176: Operation Plazma – Prelude.

    ''''Then... I''ll go now.''''

    ''''Take care.''''

    ''''Mhm. You too.''''

    Watching the droopy raven wings on Nydia''s back as she walks away, I can''t help but feel an irk somewhere. Once again, I think of the decision to expose the documents containing her birth origin back then.

    If I hadn''t done it at all, Nydia would have been the same happy maid that she was back then. Was it right not to intervene?

    ''''...''''

    Maybe not.

    Nonetheless, what has already been done cannot be changed. At this moment, I need to quickly get rid of Efil so I can act more freely. I''m already tired of this identity game.

    ...Still, it''s not easy to investigate such an elusive opponent, especially now that everything is in a jumble. I guess I can only hope the plan Sikare and the 049 mentioned the other day will work.

    The following days quickly pass by without much happening.

    I, alongside my friends, still visit the Khruse Range every night for some routine extermination of the infesting wyverns. So far, everything is going smoothly, but there has been a bit of noise from the palace. It seems the heir transition will occur sooner or later.

    Evidently, both princesses have changed dramatically over this period.

    While Sierra progressively gets more and more laidback, often gleefully strolling around the academy, Nydia rarely ever comes there at all. The few times I actually see her... well, let''s just say she isn''t too relaxed.

    Of course, I''m worried about my friend, but the only one who can help her right now... isn''t me. Even if I use my name as Silaerob, it doesn''t change the fact that she is still an imperial princess with heavy responsibilities and expectations. I need to take her hand and show her the way forward, not carry her over obstacles.

    ''''Good morning.''''

    ''''Ah, good morning.''''

    Which is why I have arranged a chat with the other imperial princess. Aside from checking the Khruse Range raid''s progress, making sure Nydia''s life in the palace goes smoothly is also the goal.

    Upon seeing me, Sierra appears noticeably more reserved. I''m not sure of the cause, but I don''t mind. Though, I would like her not to stare as much.

    ''''Hm? Coffee today?'''' I ask, noticing a different beverage in Bianca''s cup.

    ''''I need to focus and finish these quickly.'''' She replies.

    ''''I see.''''

    ''''You don''t drink coffee?''''

    For some reason, the duchess is a bit talkative. Does drinking coffee instead of tea have something to do with it? How scary.

    ''''This is why I don''t drink coffee...''''

    ''''...?''''

    In any case, I help myself with a cup of tea instead, and only when the refreshing taste of it spreads across my tongue does my brain clear up fully. Turning to Sierra, who''s still discreetly staring at me, I open my mouth,

    ''''Hey. I remember you had some strange reactions when I touched them the last two times, right?'''' She whispers, her voice shaky, borderlining laughter. ''''I just thought of messing up the almightly Silaerob like that... and I can''t stop smiling.''''

    ''''...''''

    Jesus Christ.

    Sometimes, I forget that I am dealing with this kind of woman.

    ''''No.''''

    I flatly refuse to give in to her deranged fetish. You know, I really want to talk about the Nydia matter already, but I feel as though she will demand something unspeakable if I try to do that now.

    Sorry, Nydia. You will have to suffer for a bit more.

    Let''s change the topic.

    ''''About the grandmaster. Who will it likely be?''''

    ''''The emperor didn''t specifically state their name, but my guess is Ulaika.''''

    ''''The shield lo—I mean, the Invincible Shield?''''

    ''''Yes. That''s the only reason they named the raid ''Operation Plazma.'' Besides, it is during the day, so.''''

    Come again? Why do they have the power to decide the name?

    ...Well, ''Operation Plazma'' doesn''t sound terrible, I suppose. Still, I''m not too familiar with all the grandmasters, and the name intrigues me.

    ''''Why is it ''Plazma?'' Can Ulaika produce plazma?''''

    Before Sierra can even reply, Bianca interjects, ''''Technically not, but she can do something similar.''''

    Hmm... that does sound promising. I''m also curious about how she will perform in battle. I can look forward to that. Mhm.

    Just like that, a few more days soon pass, and the assembly is finally completed.

    In front of me stands an organized army of a scale I have never seen before. Row after row, knights and mages in uniform line up, adhering to a certain pattern. Just looking at them alone is enough to intimidate, but only when one senses the immense mana radiating from this collective force does they feel the true scale.

    And leading the bunch is...

    ''''Heya! It''s you again!''''

    A chibi whose head barely reaches my stomach. A part of me wonders if such a child... figure can even exit combat in one piece, but then again, she''s a grandmaster for a reason.

    ''''Well, let us go.''''

    ''''Hm? Aren''t you going to introduce those guys to us?!''''

    ''''No.''''

    No.