272: After the Ball
'The Aftermath of A, D, and R's Mishap at the Imperial-Hosted Marriage Preparation Ball! The Fate of Nobles Who Committed Crimes Too Easily!!'
'Lady Virijanira Engaged! Her Fiancé? An Unexpected Artificial Human!'
'Beware of Magatsuki! Investigating the Dangers and Origins of Illicit Mind-Control Mods!'
These are the headlines of articles written in today's magazine.
Sensational headlines are to be expected from a magazine like this, but the content is actually quite serious, covering various incidents that occurred at last week's marriage-seeking ball.
To clarify, in order from top to bottom...
The noble families who attempted criminal acts such as trying to drug me, the greenhouse supervisor, and thus earned serious pursuit from Viridiana.
The incident of me and Viridiana appearing together at a matchmaking ball, and a brief mention of what kind of artificial human I am.
An article cautioning against mass-produced Magatsuji, or decorative items containing Magatsuji powder.
That’s it.
Personally, the most important one is the last article.
If the information comes together properly, we might actually be able to trace it back to its source.
The article, perhaps considering the reporters' safety, ends with only subtle hints suggesting the involvement of a criminal organization.
"Sat, it's been reported. What should we do?"
"There's nothing we can do. We'll just avoid showing our faces in public from now on."
"Yes, that's probably the safest approach, I believe. So, Vee-sama..."
"I understand. I'll do my best to stay out of sight from now on. It seems there are more foolish people than I thought."
Also, this magazine features an article titled "Mysterious Identity! The Girl from the Fallen Country at the Ball!!," introducing me—dressed up as the greenhouse caretaker.
As for the rest of what's written... I'll just pretend I never saw it.
There are also mentions of things like "a special vanilla ice cream served at the matchmaking ball," and rumors about a couple meeting in secret—there are plenty of such stories. But I'll just pretend I never saw any of that either.
So, Vee. What's left to do at Imperial Star Vanilla Side?
Now, it has been about two days since the marriage-seeking dance party.
Recently, Viridiana had been contacting various places and negotiating, but as the one assigned to guard her, I had it surprisingly easy.
Currently, he is resting in his room at the Viscount Vanillagenroot's residence, having just finished a chapter.
So, I asked to confirm what we should do next.
As expected, the tasks we're discussing here are things that only Vilijani can do—nothing that should be delegated to someone else.
"Yes, well… I’d like to assist in locating the main unit of the Magatsuki Powder, if possible… Memo."
"Once Doctor Mizeon completes the adjustment of the 'Hetero-Water Mirror' and eliminates the noise, it should become apparent naturally."
The noise Doctor Mizeon is attempting to remove appears to originate from two sources: one from Chirarizumu = Konpuraekusu, and another from Funaka.
As for the former, it seems they've managed to handle it somehow, but the latter appears to be jamming the location of the Magatsuki powder's main unit, making its removal absolutely necessary.
Neither Viridianila nor I can assist with this adjustment.
"Then, if the main unit's location gets discovered, we might expect interference from those who'd rather keep it hidden."
"They'll come, but wouldn't it be up to Lady Vee to deal with them?"
Adjusting the 'Hetero Water Mirror' would undoubtedly be a matter the Sinquubirumzo prince's faction—those possessing the primary unit—would wish to prevent.
Thus, as Johalis said, interference is certain to come.
But as Memokshi also said, it's not the task of Vriljaniela.
Well, considering Vriljaniela's track record, it's likely that any assignment would end up causing trouble, leading straight to a crisis that needs resolving. But that kind of approach—jumping straight into fixing things—is, to be honest, something I wouldn't recommend.
"Yeah, that's right. In that case... things like visiting a restaurant in a section of Teisei Vanilla Side with Sata during free time, or touring a factory of some company... Oh, and securing Sata's transfer destination for the future is another option too."
"A timing that's fixed, you mean?"
"There's an event scheduled where you're to give a lecture at the Vanilla Sid Empire University. They'd like you to speak about what happened during the time between your graduation and your return, without touching on legal or confidential matters."
"I see."
And that's something only someone like Villigianira could do.
Probably a request from a noble overseeing that district, related to restaurant reviews, and the factory inspection is just routine work for an intelligence unit.
About securing my transfer destination... Now that you mention it, I do recall something like that.
They're asking for my personal experiences with Vilijanira, as in lectures at the university—something only I can provide.
"Then there's that... "
"By the way, Your Highness. The Emperor has sent another invitation to the tea gathering. And this time, they've specifically requested that you bring Lady Sata, who's in charge of the greenhouse."
Please decline on the grounds that work is busy. Also, inform Her Majesty the Empress.
Understood.
...
Well, I'll just ignore the usual salt treatment from His Majesty the Emperor as usual.
It's only recently become clear that, considering Viridianiela's imperial succession order and the Emperor's favor, simply meeting someone casually can lead to unnecessary suspicion from certain individuals. To avoid trouble with such people, it seems best to simply refuse outright.
That's why, rather than just declining, including a report to Her Majesty the Empress is precisely what earns Viridianiela the reputation of being salty.
"Should we head to another star system after the lecture at the university? There's nothing we can do anyway."
"Without the Emperor's order to wait, we might consider that possibility."
Well, when will the situation finally move?