260: Strange Assault ※

This chapter is told from Vee's perspective.

Please note.

"Arrived."

"Thank you."

Satā, clad in a powered suit, reached the elevator surrounded by sea and unfolded the gate, allowing us to exit the greenhouse.

No threat is sensed around us.

The same applies to the elevator.

"Madam Vilijanian, please come this way."

"Understood. Sata, Memo, Johalis, let's go."

"Got it."

"Understood."

"Got it!"

As we enter the elevator, messages from various locations across the Imperial Star Vanilla Sid are sent to my information terminal.

Since these messages are also being sent to Memoqsi, I gesture with my eyes, signaling Memoqsi to verbally relay the message content to me.

"It seems the Zacrocks have safely arrived at the Iseimītsu Marquis's mansion. According to the guards and surrounding machine intelligences, there were no signs of trouble whatsoever during their journey."

"I see. That's a relief."

"Indeed."

The Zacrocks are safe.

Also, they appear to be starting work on creating the vanilla essence right away.

Since there are no abnormalities reported around Viscount Iseime's residence or Dr. Mizeon, there should be no issues.

But...

While it's reassuring that the Zakkorock group is safe, something odd is going on.

You're right. As Lady Vee said, something strange is going on.

"Something odd? Oh, that there was no pursuit, I suppose."

There's definitely something odd about this. Considering the initial sniper attack, it was clearly Lady Vee who was the target, not Zacrok and the others. But if they were really aiming for Lady Vee... the attempt was rather sloppy. There's just too much that doesn't add up.

That's exactly why we're all so puzzled.

In contrast, the Imperial Army personnel, who have only recently become acquainted with us, seem slightly unsettled by our remarks.

"Yes, that's exactly right. If they truly went to the trouble of launching an attack from a place like the underbelly of Imperial Star Vanilla Sid—where even smuggling weapons is difficult—then their assault is far too weak."

With that, I begin pointing out the inconsistencies to the Imperial Army personnel.

First, the lack of rear guards and traps.

If they were truly intent on killing me, they should have launched multiple attacks by now, and certainly would have planted explosives in the vehicles they used for movement or in the areas they raided.

Relying solely on an overconfidence in a military-grade Level 8 sniper blaster mod is too weak an explanation.

Next, the location of the ambush is suspicious.

To begin with, if they were going to ambush me, there are far more suitable locations in the middle layer than the underlayer of Imperial Star Vanilla Side.

Even if they were trying to lure us into a false sense of security, this still doesn't make sense.

To put it more directly, it's strange that they're targeting only us.

If they're planning something from the underlayers of Teisei Vanilla Sid, they should naturally know that I'm the illegitimate child of His Imperial Majesty—otherwise, it would be impossible not to know.

And if they're targeting me, it's only natural that they'd turn my allies into enemies. If they're aiming to advance their own interests even slightly, they should naturally consider using or eliminating those allies to their advantage.

Therefore, while attacking the Vanillagenru or Iseimeets noble families themselves might be understandable, it's strange that there's no attack on Zallock or Dr. Mizeon.

In this case, it's reasonable to suspect Magatsuki is involved.

If Magatsuki is using a method where they brainwash a commander and launch an attack, even a weak assault could serve a purpose.

"Therefore... yes. It seems more reasonable to assume that, even if the assault was meant to fail, the fact that an attack was launched against us was what truly mattered to the opponent."

"I see. But if the enemy could devise a plan that intentionally failed against Vee, doesn't that narrow down their identity quite significantly?"

Sata said this while looking thoughtful.

Memo and Joharis are thinking the same thing.

Probably, the name "Prince Shinku Birimumu" is simultaneously appearing in the minds of all four of us.

We won't say it out loud, of course—there's no evidence.

"Vee-sama. Breaking news: Prince Shinku Birimumu has inspected the district managed by Lord Shisenburein and arrested him, citing serious illegal activities."

"Lord Shisenburein?"

"Who is that? Is that someone you know, Vee-sama?"

"No, I've never met them. But given the timing, Lord Shisenburein seems to be involved in this incident... Whether it's a wrongful accusation, a political purge, or simply a scapegoat—it's impossible to tell without more information."

Lord Shisenburein was supposedly in charge of managing and operating one of the middle-tier districts in Imperial Star Vanilla City.

There were rumors about being overly concerned with money, the district he managed dealt in spicy ingredients and dishes as its specialty, there were some shady whispers about him... and geographically speaking, it should have been near one of the elevators connecting to the Underlayers.

In any case, he was a person with no connection to me.

Even in terms of political alignment, he was nearly neutral—though perhaps slightly inclined toward Elder Brother Heeby, if anything.

In any case, without sufficient information, it's impossible to determine why Prince Synquubilum was detained.

As for the attack directed toward us, we could simply conclude that he was manipulated by Magatsuki.

"Hmm, could it have been an act of self-staging?"

"It's not entirely out of the question. Depending on the circumstances, multiple conspirators might be involved. For now, we can only wait for further updates."

For now, let's send a report about the attack to His Majesty the Emperor while the elevator is moving upward.

……

His Majesty has sent multiple messages, but we only need to reply with one message, just one sentence.

A proper report will be sufficient if sent to Her Majesty the Empress and my mother.

I have sent the message.