230: Information from mother to daughter ※

This conversation is from Vee's perspective.

"Long time no see. Mother."

"Indeed, it has been a while, Vee."

Having left Dr. Mizion at the Viscount Isay Meets' manor, we headed toward my family's ancestral home—the Viscount Vanillagenroot family.

The location is among the upper tier of middle-class districts in Imperial Star Vanillasid, situated just next to a massive pillar connecting directly to the Imperial Palace, the residence of His Majesty the Emperor.

When I arrived at the viscount's residence, I found myself meeting my mother without Memoqui present.

"I've heard about your current situation. It seems you've gotten caught up in it."

"Yes, but that is precisely my duty."

"I believe you'll be fine, but please be cautious. It's too late once something goes wrong."

"Yes."

My mother is one of the imperial maids serving His Majesty the Emperor, and also one of the many consorts of the Emperor himself.

I don't know how my mother came to have a relationship with His Majesty.

But I've heard she gets along well with Her Majesty the Empress, and in certain circumstances, she even serves as Her Majesty's own hands and feet rather than the Emperor's.

"What about the matter at hand?"

"It's regarding Dr. Mizeon."

I informed my mother about the Emperor and the two princes' disrespectful request concerning Dr. Mizeon.

Mother closed her eyes, pausing as if pondering something... then she spoke.

"Vee."

"Yes."

"It's true they're licking at it. But you mustn't judge everything based solely on what's visible. Just as there are things even Mekoshi couldn't uncover, there may be information withheld from you as well—especially regarding Prince Synkubirimzo."

"But..."

"Yes. It's right to counterattack. If you leave that kind of behavior unchecked, they'll only get bolder. But you must think carefully about your approach—not let your emotions guide you. Challenging someone ranked second in line for the throne, given your position and strength, is frankly impossible."

"Yes... I understand..."

I was scolded.

That said, there might have been better methods... ways to launch a one-sided attack and inflict damage, perhaps.

There's no choice but to face confrontation...

Compromising even slightly with that method would bring nothing but harm and no benefit.

"Just to be clear, overestimating Satā's abilities isn't a good idea either. He's lending his strength only because he's hired by you, after all."

"Yes."

That was a warning.

Indeed, lately I might have relied too much on Satā, perhaps even acted as though his power were my own.

I may need to tighten my mind and body again.

"Moreover, you're not the only one who might have made a pact with a cosmic monster. Around Prince Synquubilum, there seem to be intelligence operatives, members of the Vanillageloot family, and even an 'invisible ally' whose existence even mechanical intelligences can't perceive."

"What do you mean by…"

"That's exactly what I mean. Occasionally, he draws conclusions that can't be deduced from the prince's available information or past actions. So we know someone is offering guidance—but we can't locate who it is. That's why we call them the 'invisible ally.'"

And a warning.

"The invisible ally," huh?

Depending on the timing, we might consider reestablishing contact with Magatsuki, who's currently missing... But Mother knows Magatsuki, so it's likely something else entirely.

Perhaps the mastermind behind the cosmic monster appearing in the Siltrilich Star System is the so-called 'invisible ally.'

"Are there any other known details about this 'invisible ally'?"

"...The 'invisible ally' accompanying Prince Synquubilum now is not the same as the 'invisible mentor' who nearly stopped the emperors' misguided thoughts throughout history. Their thinking and approach are completely opposite. Still, both undoubtedly reside in realms beyond human understanding. Can I say anything more from my side?"

"?"

"The 'invisible mentor' also influenced the emperor's recent hardline strategy."

"!?"

My mind feels as though it's spinning from these unexpected words.

Just what exactly is this 'Invisible Mentor'... or rather, I never even imagined such a being could exist...

"Vee. Only because my family has served the Emperor of the Vanilla Universe Empire for generations do we recognize the 'Invisible Mentor.' We don't speak of it openly, though."

"Y-yes..."

Then my mother went on to explain to me about the 'Invisible Mentor.'

It was said that, throughout the long history of the Vanilla Galactic Empire, there were emperors who were regarded as foolish rulers.

And during the reigns of such emperors, other political institutions and corporations had also become quite corrupt.

Yet, the Vanilla Galactic Empire has continued to preserve its history without falling into internal fragmentation.

From there, the Vanillagene Route Viscount Family traced their way to the 'Invisible Teacher.'

An enigmatic figure who essentially practices noninterference, yet offers guidance to the Emperor on what must never be done, correcting the path when necessary.

A being so beyond the reach of even the Great Mother of Machine Intelligence that even those who know its true identity remain silent.

Something akin to the shadowy ruler of the Vanilla Universe Empire, yet hidden in the shadows since the empire's founding.

That entity is known as the "Invisible Teacher."

"Could it be...?"

The figure that came to mind was the peculiar old man Sata encountered at the Niarinipotts star system—the self-proclaimed eccentric, head of the presumed adult certification issuing authority.

But if it has truly remained in the shadows since the empire's founding, the only one capable of such a thing... might be a cosmic monster.

And if the 'Invisible Teacher' is a cosmic monster, then the 'Invisible Ally' who has done the same... might be too...

"I sense you're thinking of something. But I can't tell you. Not knowing can also be a weapon."

"Y-yes..."

I almost blurt out why you told me about the 'Invisible Teacher,' but I hold my tongue.

Right now, I should focus on why you're telling me such important information.

But that answer will come soon enough.

It must be because I'll soon be meeting with His Majesty the Emperor and the others at a tea gathering.

There's no other explanation.

It seems that... no, it's not just me—Sata and I have somehow become entangled in a conflict between cosmic monsters who interfere with people and the people being interfered with.

"Then, let's change the subject."

"Yes."

Ah, Mother's demeanor has shifted suddenly.

I suppose it's inappropriate for me to say this, but there's a very ominous feeling about this.

"The next topic is meant to deliver a lesson—no, a warning—to those ignorant men who believe that, as long as the circumstances, items, and personnel are prepared, it's perfectly fine to summon an ordinary woman to an imperial tea party without proper preparation."

"Yes."

"Fufufu. Regarding this matter, I'll need to invite various ladies—Her Majesty the Empress, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, Great Mother, and the wives of prominent nobles, along with their daughters. Ah, let's call Memoqsi too."

"Mother!"

Mother and I summoned Memoqsi and discussed our next steps.

This is a perfect opportunity to learn from Mother's skilled tactics.

I'll make sure to learn thoroughly.

03/24 Correction of Typographical Errors