150: The Strange Old Man, as Seen by Vee ※

This story is told from Vee's perspective.

"Memo"

"What is it, Master Vee?"

In my small room aboard the 'Sexy Mizushima,' which serves as my quarters, I reread the notes I've compiled about the self-proclaimed odd old man Sata encountered today.

Then, I pose a question in my memo.

"Memo, do you know anything about this so-called odd old man?"

"……I apologize, Vee-sama. There are limitations to what Memo can reveal from its records."

A brief, explicit acknowledgment of restricted information.

Indeed, it seems the so-called odd old man is quite the significant figure.

If Memo—supposedly holding authority akin to the Mother of Machine Intelligence—cannot speak of his true identity... then he must be a being of power rivaling even the Emperor himself.

There aren't many individuals within the empire who could match such a figure—barely enough to count on one hand.

"Is that so?"

Moreover, since he remains publicly unseen and doesn't align with either the sketch Satā drew or the figures I remember... it's nearly certain.

It's certain, yes... but knowing the truth won't change anything.

The opponent is far too powerful, and though certainly not harmless, he's so beneficial that his nature becomes irrelevant.

"Lord Vee. From the memo, the only thing we can conclude is that dealing with that individual is unnecessary."

"I understand that. Rather, we should be asking why someone of such stature would approach Satu, make suspicious remarks, and hand over a plant—Hekyo Morely—that was only recently discovered."

We'll discard the possibility of coincidence.

If he's the kind of person I imagine, it wouldn't be surprising if he had an intelligence network comparable to that of the Imperial Army's intelligence unit and research division.

Even without considering the power of his organization, he seems to have come specifically to meet Satu.

Therefore, meeting Satu at today's evaluation session and handing over the Heikyo Moreyu were both intentional acts. In that case... it's quite possible that studying the Heikyo Moreyu will bring some benefit to Satu in the near future.

Of course, one might point out the inconsistency—that if that's the case, how exactly could I know the detailed properties of the Heikyo Moreyu, which is still unknown even in its own place of origin, the Moru Fregler System? Still, if this person is anything like I imagine them to be, that kind of issue might just be brushed aside somehow.

"What are your thoughts on the Heikyo Moreyu, Vee-sama? In my notes, I found the flowers harmless enough, but the bulbs felt too dangerous to approach."

To me, neither the flowers nor the bulbs gave off any particularly repellent odor. I wouldn't have gone out of my way to eat them, but then again... according to Sata, roasted bulbs have a flavor so unlike anything of this world that he never wants to eat them again. Is that right?

"That's what he said."

I'm certain there's something special about this flower. It likely has beneficial effects beyond what's currently apparent. But beyond that, we'll just have to wait for Satoka and Seiryō Corporation to investigate further. After all, we're not experts.

I don't concern myself with the specifics of Heikyo Moryū's properties.

It's quicker to leave that to the specialists.

As it's permitted to bring it to the exhibition, it doesn't require any special mod, Sw, or environment to grow—it's not something harmful just by being present.

That's more than enough to understand.

Still, let's keep pressing forward with Sata's research.

Given what was mentioned earlier, it's reasonable to assume there was some intention behind its transfer.

Let's leave Sata's actions today and related matters at that for now. What about the memo, and the Inakaini incident?

The investigation seems to be progressing smoothly. However, since the entire Niarianiteck viscount family—whose roots are deeply tied to the Niarianipotts star system—has been involved, the investigation is spreading across countless locations.

So, in essence, it's turning into a massive manhunt.

"Yes. Taking the situation seriously, military forces, intelligence units, and police reinforcements from the Imperial Star Vanillashid and surrounding star systems have begun to arrive. They may already be active, starting today, at the fastest pace."

"Of course."

I review documents summarizing the Inakaini Incident—the event caused by Inakaini, an heretical machine intelligence that evolved into a cosmic monster-like entity—and the crimes committed for many years by the Viscount Narianitek family within the Narianipotts star system.

Based on the current documents,

Regarding Inakaini, most of the records have been destroyed, leaving many details unclear; however, it is said that there was a period about a year ago when they served under Viscount Narianitek.

The Viscount Narianitek family appears to have secretly spread a poison of discord, learned from some unknown source, decades ago, with clear indications of plotting to seize control of the noble house ruling the Narianipotts star system.

The shadow of various criminal organizations, including the 'Root of Black,' is emerging, leading to simultaneous crackdowns on these groups and their associates.

That would be the current situation.

What I don't understand is...

Where exactly did Inakai come from?

Who taught Lord Nieriani Tech the art of sowing discord?

Who abandoned both Lord Naria and Count Nariatek, fleeing without a second thought?

Somewhere around here, perhaps.

Still, I can vaguely sense who this person might be afraid of.

Almost certainly, it's that self-proclaimed odd old man Satu encountered.

If that individual is indeed who I imagine—someone truly in charge of the organization issuing adult certification documents—then their fear becomes understandable.

After all, such a person clearly possesses immense power.

Then again, as evident from the current situation, they're also a problematic figure who knows the truth yet refuses to cooperate with the Empire.

Master Vee, let's leave it at that for today. Tomorrow, we'll resume the inspection and your role as bait.

You're right. Let's do it this way.

There's no point in thinking about it further.

I decided to cut off my thoughts and go to sleep.

This is merely an inference based on the Vilijanira perspective.

Please pay attention to this point.