Chapter 89

“I have one mission to assign to you.”

After the situation had been more or less sorted out.

Once I felt the atmosphere had calmed down enough, I spoke.

Maria, who was next to me, placed a small mechanical device in the middle of the table.

A data pack.

As I looked at it, a document window naturally appeared before my face in the form of a hologram.

“What’s this?”

“First, take a look at the contents. Once you’ve skimmed through it, I’ll explain.”

After confirming that everyone had read the document, I began speaking.

“This is a Mystic subjugation request that came to me from the Stingray Security Division.”

“To you, Chairman? Why?”

In response to Iri’s question, I explained that my usual duties weren’t limited to Foundation-related work.

When a new colony complex was to be established, or when monsters suddenly surged in, and the Security Division alone couldn’t handle the problem — that was when such requests came to me.

“T-Then… doesn’t that mean this is a really dangerous mission? I’m not sure we can handle it, since we’re just students.”

“You don’t need to worry. I judged this to be something you’re fully capable of. Of course, I’ll be going with you as well.”

Normally, this was a level of difficulty that wouldn’t even reach my desk.

But because of the massive gap in the company’s security personnel caused by Benedict’s recent rebellion, I had to step in.

It was already frustrating to have something like this come my way when I was busy enough as it was, but I couldn’t claim I was completely unrelated, so I decided to accept it.

If I refused again this time, I had a feeling something truly bad would happen.

“Not long ago, there was a production colony that collapsed. Our goal is to reclaim it from the monsters who have taken it over.”

“C-Could this be the reason for the recent delay in releasing the V-Series Modules…?”

“You’re well-informed.”

As expected, Miyu, who had a keen interest in new products, seemed to have realized it right away.

“You remember when the Titans raided the city before midterms, right? The truth is, before they came here, they first went to our Stingray Corporation’s colony responsible for producing the V-Series Modules.”

“If it’s the Titans, then… that was when you were attacked, Chairman, and had to leave your seat.”

That was the time when Iri was being harassed by other students.

Perhaps recalling those memories, Iri frowned in displeasure.

“That’s right. Because I couldn’t respond in time, the defense line was breached. Once the colony was shut down, production halted.”

『If it’s Titans, then it’d be even harder for us to get involved. Are you at least giving us some new combat modules?』

When Silence spoke to me informally, Raina, who didn’t understand the situation, looked alarmed.

But I paid it no mind and continued.

“Of course, you’ll be given plenty of equipment. But you don’t need to worry about the Titans. All the giants have already been dealt with. Only lesser monsters remain in the facility now.”

『So it’s a mopping-up operation.』

“Exactly.”

I nodded.

“Just as the subjugation was nearly complete, a group of Mystics began causing trouble. You’ll come with me to help eliminate them.”

“C-Could you tell us what kind of monsters they are…?”

“Dwarves.”

“Gasp.”

Miyu flinched.

Her pupils quaked, and just as she was about to grit her teeth in anger, I revealed the truth.

“…Just kidding. They’re trolls.”

“P-Please don’t tease me…!”

“Is there some problem with dwarves? I thought they were a demi-human race that maintained a fairly friendly stance toward humans.”

Curious about Miyu’s odd reaction, Raina asked.

In response, Miyu wore a rather grim expression, as if recalling a past trauma.

“…All dwarves must die.”

“Eek.”

After frightening Raina, Miyu fell silent again.

Finding the reaction amusing, I chuckled inwardly and returned to the main topic.

“Anyway, our opponents are trolls. Does everyone know what kind of monsters trolls are?”

“I heard they have incredibly strong regenerative abilities. So physical attacks from guns or swords don’t work at all.”

“That’s right. Seems you’ve been studying hard.”

“H-Hmph. Well, yes.”

The corners of Iri’s mouth twitched at the praise.

She glanced at Maria, and Maria answered with a faint smile.

Those two really seemed to get along well.

Anyway.

“Indeed. Trolls have regenerative abilities on par with an Adaptee equipped with an Lv.5 Module. Their defense is similarly formidable, so normal attacks hardly work.”

In terms of defense and regeneration alone, they were even stronger than me.

On top of that, their physical strength was tremendous — an ordinary human would have their bones shattered just from a casual punch.

Of course, trolls could still be hurt by physical attacks.

If you used a weapon on par with my Cloud Spider or Techblade and killed them before they could regenerate, you could take them down.

Not that it wasn’t nearly impossible.

“Then, do you know what a troll’s usual weakness is?”

“I heard it’s chemical or biological attacks.”

“Specifically?”

“Chemical, biological, and radiological attacks.

Of course, something like a Lv.3 or lower flamethrower wouldn’t be enough.

You’d have to use white phosphorus or another chemical agent to apply heat so intense it prevents regeneration and kills them.”

“Oooh, our Iri is smart too.

So amazing…!”

“Shut it, who’s ‘our Iri’.”

After silencing Kssare, who butted in without reading the room, Iri continued her explanation.

“But I’ve heard that attacks using bacteria or viruses don’t work much at all, since they adapt quickly.

And if you continuously expose them to radiation, it’s incredibly effective because of their strong cellular regeneration.

But if you’re unlucky, I’ve also heard they could mutate into an even more dangerous monster.”

“Excellent.”

Clap clap clap.

Our Iri is so smart.

Be my daughter.

It was probably because we learned about trolls at the start of the first semester, but I didn’t expect her to answer so smoothly.

How moving.

“Right. If you know that much, there’s no need for me to explain further.”

I looked around at the ones seated.

“Next weekend, you’ll be coming with me to the V-Series Module production colony. And Iri?”

“Yes?”

“You’re the leader. You’ll take the lead in devising the operation to reclaim the colony from the trolls, and report it to me.”

“I’m the leader?”

Iri seemed a little taken aback.

“I think Silence-sunbae would be better than me. He’s older, and a third-year, after all.”

“Do you not want to do it?”

“…Yes.”

“In that case, Silence. What about you?”

『It’s not like I can’t.』

He also seemed less than eager.

An emoticon shaped like ‘(-_-);;’ popped up over his mask.

At that moment, I signaled to Raina, who had been staring fixedly at Iri.

She thought she was sneaking glances, but it was way too obvious.

Anyway, when I gave her the signal, Raina finally came to her senses, cleared her throat with a “Khm!”, and spoke.

“I think it would be good for Iri to be the leader. No—this time, I think it’s absolutely necessary for Iri to take the lead!”

“W-What are you talking about?

I didn’t do anything to—”

“Think about it. Why would Chairman Stingray appoint Iri as leader? At first, I couldn’t tell, but the more I thought about it, the more I had to admire that insight!”

Her tongue moved like it had been oiled.

Her gestures and expressions were like a stage play.

And though her lines were clearly aimed at scoring points with me, and gave me a bit of a headache, strangely enough there was a certain persuasive force to them.

Having instantly drawn the others’ attention, Raina continued her speech naturally.

“What’s Iri’s position? Yes, a rare ‘tank.’ She takes up a shield, moves to the front lines, and absorbs enemy attacks. And Silence-sunbae? He’s specialized in stealth and surprise attacks!”

『Where’d you hear about my abilities?』

“…Since you have to operate at a position a bit apart from the other teammates who take enemy attacks directly, your precision in giving orders is bound to suffer!”

Ignoring Silence’s question as smoothly as flowing water, Raina continued her oration.

For the record, I’d given her prior information on Silence’s abilities and personality.

“On top of that, she’s the one who can communicate most smoothly with the other members here! If someone like that doesn’t take the lead, can you imagine how great a loss that would be, everyone?”

“W-Wait a sec. What kind of ridiculous nonsense are you just making up?”

『Well, I can’t deny it.』

Silence sided with Raina.

『I know well enough that I’m not suited to be a leader. Even in the training I get at the Academy, my role is usually rear assaults and disruption.』

“M-Me too, I think it would be g-good for Iri to be the leader…”

Miyu, who usually stuck to Iri like glue, also agreed.

“See? I told you Iri’s the only one!”

Of course, Raina, Iri’s fanatic, agreed.

“Ciel has only met people other than Iri here for the first time~!”

Ciel also sided with them, making the conclusion practically set.

Since she’d also been in regular contact with Maria during the last midterms, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say all the connections here were centered around Iri.

“W-Wait. Calm down, everyone. What do you expect me to—”

“Iri for leader! Iri for leader!”

Raina suddenly began chanting, and Ciel gleefully followed along.

Miyu looked at Iri with eyes full of expectation, while Silence gave a little shrug as if to say, “What can you do? You’re it.”

“Ah… aaah…”

Iri looked around nervously, then slumped her shoulders in resignation.

“Fine… I’ll… I’ll do it.”

And so, the leader of the Special Class became Iri.

And they all lived happily ever after.

Clap clap clap.

After the meeting ended, the students who still had classes left returned to attend them.

From what I heard, before heading back to her classroom, Iri stopped by the break room near my office and swiped all the snacks.

Maybe it was her small revenge for making her leader.

The problem was, it was the kind of revenge that would make my staff wail more than me.

“It suddenly feels so quiet~”

Just as Ciel said, the once-noisy office returned to calm.

Now only Maria and Ciel remained.

And one more.

『Aaron Stingray. Spare me a moment.』

It was Silence.

Leaning against the wall with arms crossed, he somehow looked displeased.

Not that it mattered — with the angry-face emoticon floating on his mask, it was impossible not to know his mood.

“Alright. What is it?”

I already had a rough guess, but pretended not to know.

Without changing his stance, Silence declared to me.

『Let’s have a match.』

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