第１８７１堀：いざ南砦へ (Part1)
Chapter 1871: To the Southern Fortress
To the Southern Fortress
Side: Firia
“...Why is everyone here?”
“Who knows, right?”
When Firia and the others arrived at the gate, intending to travel to the research base at the Southern Fortress where Hivia and her team were stationed, they found their older sisters lined up in a row.
“Ah, Ratz, Eris, and I are just here to see you off.”
“That’s right~. Do your best over there, okay? Let us know if you find any interesting merchandise~.”
“Yes, since our little sisters are going on a proper journey, we’re all a bit worried.”
Hmm, it is true that we are heading to a land where we’ll have almost no support from our brothers and sisters. However...
“Deryu-nee-sama, Taiki-nii-sama, and Holy are coming too, so it’s basically like having guardians with us.”
“You’re worrying too much~. And besides, Seraria-nee-chan, Labyris-chan, and Shera-chan are coming along too, right?”
At this point, it’s just our usual team moving together. Perhaps sensing Firia’s dissatisfaction, her brother gave a wry smile.
“Well, it just goes to show how worried they are. You just need to produce results that make everyone following you think, ‘Oh, I guess there was nothing to worry about after all.’ Think of it as a final exam.”
“I see. So I just need to impress you all with our performance!”
“Oh, I get it! So this is a final exam!”
“That’s the spirit. Do your best. Feel free to use this group however you like to get results. Though, if you rely on them too much, I’ll have to deduct points, so use them wisely. Actually, for matters of strategy, you should rely on Chaea over there.”
Hearing that, I looked at Chaea-nee-sama, who was joining us this time.
“Yes. I shall do my best to be of assistance to Firia-sama and Aslin-sama.”
She bowed. I know she’s Shau-nee-sama’s mentor, so I can tell she must be incredible. I’m not very good at strategy or those complicated things. My brother and the others usually handle all of that.
“With that said, the sister-complex members, try not to be a nuisance. Seraria, especially—if you don’t keep up with your administrative work over there, Quar will come flying in.”
“I know that.”
“It’s fine. I will monitor the progress via the screen.”
“Tch.”
Seraria-nee-sama is as persistent as ever. Should Firia and the others be happy that she’s willing to go that far just to come with us?
“Also, Labyris and Shera, don’t go interfering. The leaders are Hivia and her team, and you are to center your efforts around them.”
“Don’t worry. We wouldn’t dream of raining on their parade.”
“Yes. Please rest assured. We will provide reports from our end as well.”
Hmm, so that means Firia and the others are being watched and tested as well. No, it was called a test from the very beginning. We’ll do our best to pass it.
“Right, I’m counting on you. Well, if we spend all our time seeing you off, it’ll cause problems for everyone else’s schedules, so let’s wrap this up. Aslin, Firia, I look forward to the Special Investigation Team’s report.”
“Yes!”
“Yes, we will!”
With that response, Firia and the others stepped through the gate to the Southern Fortress.
“Welcome. Though, there isn’t really much to see here.”
The one who greeted us was Tori-nee-sama. She is currently acting as the leader of this Southern Fortress. Wait, was she the commander? Or the chief? As I was pondering that, Fiora-nee-sama and, for some reason, Stasia-nee-sama were there to welcome us too.
“Huh? Wasn’t Stasia-nee-chan at the northern town?”
“Yes. But since the two of you arrived, I had to come and greet you. I’ll be delivering information from the north to you as well.”
“Ah, I see.”
“That makes sense.”
It’s true that while the investigation of the south is our main priority, that doesn’t mean we don’t need information from the north. The north is currently focused on military movements, so they are pouring their efforts there, while Firia and the others are handling the investigation-related matters in the south.
“Well, the location may have changed, but everyone is still on your side, just like always.”
This time, Aetheri-nee-sama stepped forward as she said that.
“Firia, Aslin. From here on, Aetheri will be your guide. If you need anything, just let us know. Now, everyone, back to work.”
When Tori-nee-sama said that, everyone left, leaving only Aetheri-nee-sama behind. They’re busy, so it can’t be helped.
“Right, as Tori said, I’m the one doing research here, so I’ll be the one to show you around the fortress. Hivia and the others should head back to the lab and get ready.”
“Understood. See you later, you two.”
“Call us if you get lost.”
“Haa, the field, huh~.”
With that, Hivia-chan and the others left Firia and the others. Well, they’ve been working here for a while, so they don’t really need a guide.
“Please, lead the way.”
“We’re counting on you.”
Firia and Aslin said that and followed Aetheri-nee-sama.
“Well, I’ve been checking the data since we were back in Weed, so I don’t think there’s anything particularly exciting to see.”
“That’s not true. It’s our first time here, so everything is interesting.”
“That’s right. We’ve seen the design data and the photos of the finished structure, but seeing the real thing is fresh and exciting.”
“Is that so? Then, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Well, you said you built a space where a large number of people could live, so maybe we’d like to see that.”
“Ah, yes. We heard it was built so that even if another country’s army invaded, there would still be plenty of room.”
“That’s what you’re interested in? Well, we did build it that way, but since no one is here right now, it’s quite empty.”
Saying that, Aetheri-nee-sama guided us to the area where the military is scheduled to be stationed. It was too far to walk, so we prepared a vehicle for the journey.
“Moving by car... I guess this fortress really is huge~.”
“That it is. We’ve secured enough space for tens of thousands of people to live. That said, since it’s a fortress, there isn’t much room for leisure or play. It is, first and foremost, a defensive base. Though, even saying that, we did prepare things like parks, just like over there.”
When she pointed in that direction, I saw a well-maintained park. It was a magnificent park.
“You call that ‘no room for play’?”
“It’s pretty impressive, isn’t it~?”
Aslin seemed to think so too. Firia agreed.