Episode 128: Avoiding Responsibility

Lay the unconscious Baron Tyro on the sofa in the manager’s office. The discussion continues.

“Special Lieutenant Dawson. You returned to Amato Imperial Japan anticipating this outcome, did you not?”

Dawson shakes his head in response to Goudo’s question.

“That’s not possible. I merely intended to stay uninvolved, whether the operation succeeded or failed.”

“Why is that?”

“If it succeeded, you would have reported the results of excluding me. In fact, I had no intention of assisting, so that part was acceptable. But failure is the issue.”

“What issue?”

“They would fabricate evidence to make it appear I was involved, then pin all responsibility on me.”

Though Dawson is assigned to the rear operations room, he has no patronage, no connections. He is an orphan.

A noble or high-ranking officer of the Amato Stellar Navy could easily engineer his downfall.

He was the perfect candidate to be blamed.

"If I am removed from the mission, your faction will lead all future SU operations. That was clearly the intent—to shift responsibility while gaining control in one move."

Dawson stated it plainly. Goode opened his mouth to object, then closed it abruptly.

Goode himself had a background shaped by noble faction interests. He lacked the credibility to fully deny Dawson's statement within the noble faction.

Taylo, the foremost opponent of Dawson, was unconscious.

That left Major Miko and Captain Jinku.

Captain Jinku, connected to the rear operations room, could not oppose Dawson's position.

Major Miko shrugged her shoulders.

Such an opinion could not have come from Lieutenant Colonel Tyro, so Lieutenant Dawson’s concern was valid.

By the time the Heaven Hailou campaign began, I was already inside the Amato Stellar Arm. There was no way to assign blame, so I gave up.

Still, you tried to assign blame to Lieutenant Colonel Jinku, who had not engaged in combat in the Orion Stellar Arm. But among those capable of bearing responsibility, I hold the highest rank, and Lieutenant Colonel Tyro holds the lowest. There was no clear basis to place blame on Lieutenant Colonel Jinku.

If responsibility is to be taken collectively, it must fall to either the highest-ranking officer or the lowest-ranking officer.

The highest-ranking officer bearing responsibility is self-evident.

As for the lowest-ranking officer, it is customary for the lower-ranking individual to volunteer to take responsibility in order to shield the higher-ranking officer.

In this case, the only individual capable of being assigned responsibility is Lord Tyro, the lowest-ranking officer.

It was precisely because he was not being forced onto Major Jinku that Lord Tyro had been driven to the brink, his eyes rolling back as he fainted.

"I have no say in how responsibility is taken. Handle it however you wish. If there is nothing else, I can leave the room, correct?"

As Dawson turned to exit the manager's office, Major Miko called out to stop him.

"Special Lieutenant Dawson. Might I ask what you intend to do from here?"

"What use is it asking someone slated for removal?"

Dawson dismissed him coldly. Major Miko bowed deeply.

"There is nothing left but to rely entirely on you, Special Lieutenant Dawson, if we are to recover from this failure."

Dawson felt both disbelief and respect at the sheer, unashamed dependence.

A major, a rank of considerable standing, was bowing to a lieutenant, albeit a special one. From the standpoint of protocol, the one being asked was obligated to consider the request.

Dawson had a rebellious disposition, yet also a strong aversion to injustice and immorality.

The other party had approached with proper decorum. To ignore that would be inconsistent.

Additionally, prior to departing Amato Imperial Japan, he had been instructed by his superior in the rear operations room to maintain coordinated action.

The situation had shifted slightly since then, but considering the order given, a reconsideration was necessary.

"Even so, I must ask again. What are you intending?"

"...If possible, I would like to be included among the rear ranks."

"Only Major Miko? Or the heavy cruiser *Aphecto* as well?"

"With the ship included, please."

Dawson hesitates.

It is an ideal opportunity to bring Major Miko and the crew of the *Aphecto* into the fold. Yet the gains made could also flow to the aristocratic faction.

Should he allow the aristocratic faction's interests to be served, just to secure the allegiance of one major and one heavy cruiser?

Dawson attempts to consider the matter seriously. He abandons the thought. Such calculations of power are too heavy a burden for an officer of his rank.

"Amato Imperial Japan and the aristocratic faction will adjust accordingly."

Miko’s expression improves slightly at Dawson’s reply.

"Thank you for accepting. I will repay the favor with effort. I’ve been given a position at the rear—I promise to earn it."

"I look forward to seeing what a major of your caliber can achieve."

Dawson halted his exit completely and spoke to the others present, excluding the unconscious Baron Tyro.

In the form of a general direction, the plan was unclear, but it contained information sufficient to firmly believe that Major Miko could restore her honor.