219: Why such a request?

"Bring Dr. Mizeon here at this moment? That's an unusual request, to say the least."

Just over an hour left until hyperspace departure.

After waking up and getting ready, Vilegianila received a message via Memoxi, which I relayed to her. She made a rare, noticeably grim expression—unusual for her.

"Memo. Who exactly is this request from?"

"The one who delivered the message directly was from the Imperial Army's Intelligence Division, specifically the department responsible for general affairs in the Vanilla Sid system. That means it was officially authorized. However, something seemed off, so I investigated the person who made the suggestion based on Memo's initiative, and the name that came up was Viscount Iseimyūtsu."

"Viscount Iseimyūtsu?"

Vilijani Rana looked puzzled.

"Know him?"

"No, I haven't met him in person. I've heard of his name and field of expertise, though... Still, that makes things odd. Memo, are you certain there's no error in your investigation?"

When saying there's no error, it doesn't just mean a simple spelling mistake or a procedural slip-up in the research.

It's pointing to the possibility that someone might be impersonating this Viscount Iseimyūtsu.

"There's no doubt about it. I initially suspected the memo might be a mistake, so I investigated further, but the proposer is indeed Viscount Iseimyūtsu... and the current head of the family. While we can't rule out interference from higher up beyond the scope of the missing memo..."

"I see."

"Hmm, judging by the way Memo and Vee phrased it, this Viscount Iseimyūtsu doesn't seem like someone who'd be involved in something like this..."

"You're absolutely right, as Satā-sama said. Therefore, Memo believes that interference may have occurred beyond the scope she was able to investigate."

"I agree with Memo. As far as I know, Viscount Iseimyūtsu was the type to criticize, point out flaws, and offer advice to those who didn't follow proper procedures."

After asking for more details about Viscount Iseimyūtsu.

Viscount Iseimyūtsu appears to be a family of bureaucrats who have served the Empire for generations at Teisei Vanilla Shid.

The current head of the family prefers to follow proper procedures and opposes overly forceful methods that break rules, even if it puts him at a disadvantage. He seems to be the type who will speak up, even to someone of higher noble rank, when necessary.

That's precisely why this kind of approach doesn't suit his style, and it seems the Vilijanira group is growing increasingly distrustful.

Incidentally, the current head of the household is in his fifties—slightly older than His Majesty the Emperor.

Hmm, in that case, the connection to Dr. Mizeon remains unclear.

More likely, Dr. Mizeon's parents' generation, or perhaps just a bit older.

"...This might involve various experiments. Also, there could be intelligence operations involving units we haven't been informed about."

"Testing, huh."

That's exactly what I've been thinking too.

Testing my abilities, seeing if I can properly convey things to Viridiana, testing how far Mekoshi can uncover information, observing Viridiana's reaction, testing Seiryō Corporation and Dr. Mizeon, and perhaps even testing Lord Iseimyūtsu—there's a chance of that too.

The idea that this is an intelligence operation... Well, that kind of thing does happen normally, I suppose.

Given how Lord Iseimyūtsu conducts himself, he might grumble about going against convention, but if asked to do something as part of his duties, he seems willing to carry it out properly. He'd probably be capable of taking action as a proposer in an intelligence unit's operation.

"Though I can't imagine it, are you considering taking Dr. Mizeon hostage as a countermeasure against Lord Sata?"

"If a noble with issues were mentioned, I might consider it—but using the name of Count Iseimītsu to pull that off would just be suicide, in my opinion."

"I'd be hated by everyone—by me, by Seiryō Corporation, and even by Vee and the others... Even if I messed up only slightly, the entire imperial army would come after me. Besides, no one would believe a hostage would work against someone with teleportation abilities."

I think it should be the Empire itself, not the imperial army. There are strategies like inviting them and winning them over, rather than holding them hostage. But if that's the case, the target should be me or Sata herself.

Is that so? Yes, that's right.

There are no hostages... I guess.

Yeah, none.

If there are hostages involved illegally, both I and Vee, as well as the Empire, will gladly deal with them with full force.

There are no more conciliatory measures.

Dr. Mizeon is both an educator and a researcher, and it's precisely because of her connection to Seiryō Corporation that she seeks what she desires.

In fact, it's exactly the kind of thing that cannot be found in the Imperial Star Vanilla City.

"……Perhaps it would be best to hear directly from Dr. Mizeon."

"Well, given the wording, it's likely she's already been informed. There's a chance we're unaware of some crucial details."

"Then, Vee-sama..."

Hmm, we're still missing too much information.

I can only agree with Vilijanira's suggestion to hear what Dr. Mizeon has to say.

"Yes, that's right. Satā. After we arrive at the Vanilla Sid system, confirm there's no threat around, then go pick up Dr. Mizeon from Seiryō Corporation. Once we're back on the 'Carnival Viper,' let's hear what he has to say."

"Understood."

"Note: Please prepare a room for Dr. Mizeon's stay. Since he's coming here, I expect we'll be traveling together for at least a few days."

"Understood."

With that, Dr. Mizeon's invitation was confirmed.

Of course, if he doesn't understand the message by now, then the matter would be over... but I doubt that'll happen.

『The ship will soon conclude its faster-than-light voyage and return to real space. All crew members are requested to prepare for the end of faster-than-light travel.』

Thus, the『Carnival Viper』safely arrived at the Vanilla Sid system.