244: The end of the tea gathering

"Your Majesty, did you manage to have a conversation?"

"Yes, it was a very meaningful exchange."

The Emperor addresses the Empress, then returns to his seat.

The Crown Prince does the same.

Grandmother has blended in with the other attendants.

Vilijanira’s expression... she seemed happy, Mizeon Doctor and Memokushi looked confused, while Johalis gave off a vague sense of resignation?

What on earth is going on?

"...Satā, why are you severing the connection between your facial muscles and your emotions?"

"!?!"

Just as I was pondering that, Vilijanira, seemingly noticing that my expression hadn’t changed, asked me the question.

Well, about the incident with Chirarizumu and Conplarekusu, the Emperor himself said I shouldn't mention it out loud.

But there's no way I could deceive Vilijanira with my own words.

In that case...

"Ah, um, I had to touch on a bit of confidential matter during my conversation with the Emperor. I was keeping my expression in check, so I disconnected the connection..."

"Satā. With someone I'm not close to, it might be different, but when it's me, a blank expression is basically saying you're hiding something."

"Ah, yes. That's right."

It was probably best to just speak honestly.

And indeed, it turned out to be the right choice.

Vilijanira didn't seem inclined to press further questions in my direction.

Instead, she fixed the Emperor with a sharp, piercing glare.

Still, the Emperor himself looked completely unfazed—used to such looks by now.

"Vee. I'll relay this to Memokshi; confirm it later when there's no one around. I'll only permit... Vee, Sata, Memokshi, Johalis, and Mizeon."

"...Understood. I'll confirm it later."

I get Johalis, but does that include Dr. Mizeon too?

If so, that explains why he was called... Ah, I see. Something just clicked.

Though he does his best not to show it.

"Anyway, about the future. What were your plans, Vee?"

"I intended to head to the intelligence division's headquarters to gather information about the Siltrilich system. However, given Dr. Mizeon's situation, I also want to do my best to provide protection and assistance to him."

The conversation seems to be shifting to the future.

So I decide to stay silent and listen.

"Very well. Then I shall issue a formal order and permission. Viljaniara Banalagengroot is to cooperate with Mizeon Avalokita's activities. I shall grant permission for Mizeon and his team to enter the intelligence division's headquarters, as well as access to the Banalashid OS Research Institute. I will formalize this in writing later."

When mentioning Dr. Mizeon's cooperation, it must refer to the incident with the static on the 'Hetero Mirror.'

Considering the nature of the reaction, I suspect the phenomenon is either a Chiarizumu = Conplereks, or a Funaqua, or perhaps merely an unintended side effect stemming from research on the OS... though there might still be something else at play.

The Emperor seems to possess information far beyond that of the Virijanila, and I suspect he's manipulating things behind the scenes in various ways.

"Understood. I shall cooperate with the guards."

Understood. I shall do my utmost to meet Your Majesty's expectations.

As Virijanila and Dr. Mizeon bow their heads, so do I, Joharis, and Memokshi.

"Your Majesty. May I have a moment?"

"What is it?"

At that, one of the Emperor's attendants speaks up, then whispers something into his ear.

The Emperor briefly frowns, a hint of concern crossing his face.

Something must have happened.

"Moving here means it's indeed as we feared."

Who among them had heard that murmured remark?

Yet, as the Emperor gave a subtle nod, his attendants immediately sprang into motion.

"Vee. I'm sorry, but the tea gathering must end here."

"...I see. Thank you for having us today. We must take our leave, though it's rather hurried."

Vilijanira rose from her seat, and we followed suit.

They are led outside the greenhouse by their accompanying person, but the route differs significantly from the one taken on the way there, clearly designed to avoid someone.

"Vee. What's this?"

"An unexpected guest. Probably Prince Shinkubirimzo. With the Emperor His Majesty present, the Crown Prince, Her Majesty the Empress, myself, and Dr. Mizeon all here, if someone just happened to pass by and wished to pay their respects, it would be difficult for ordinary security to stop them, even if they could notify those inside."

"I see."

I narrowed my eyes, continuing to watch the tea party venue.

A man with noticeably red hair appeared at the tea party venue, bowing respectfully to the Emperor and his companions.

Given his hair color, he was undoubtedly Prince Sinquubirim.

"At this point, we can't predict what might happen if we meet face to face—something strange could easily occur. That's why the Emperor had us step back."

"Hmm, I see."

The reason he appeared here... seems to be the one who originally decided to invite Dr. Mizeon, huh.

There's definitely something going on.

Still, traces of Magatsuki's OS or strange mods aren't detectable—neither from the prince himself nor from those around him.

It's clear he came here of his own will.

"Still, we don't have enough information to determine the other party's intentions. In some cases, it's not possible to rule out the possibility that Prince Shinquubirum might actually be in the right. So... Memokushi, any information?"

"Received."

"Then let's start from there. First, we need to gather information from both sides."

"Understood."

With that, we left the greenhouse and exited the imperial city via a different route than the one we came in.

04/11 Correction of typo