INTERMISSION
Lord Yunmelngen and the Adviser
About Lord Yunmelngen…
The leader and symbol of the united stronghold territory, the Heavenly Empire.
The ninth Lord, at minimum.
A whole century before the Founder Nebulis revolted, the position of Lord had already existed for individuals chosen through the Ascension Ceremony, which was a ritual kept hidden from the Imperial subjects.
The people did not question this process. After all, the Empire was the best country in the world. They were blessed, and for that reason, they had no reason to object.
“The wealthy do not fight. Proper clothes and proper food make for proper manners. As long as this nation thrives, the public will seek to maintain the status quo and not commit class warfare.”
Yunmelngen’s offices were in a windowless building that was one of the oldest structures within the Imperial capital.
Tinged red, the earthen building had been the sole edifice left standing after the rebellion that had left the land scorched a century ago.
Its interior consisted of four structures.
One of them was a palatial building that contained a four-story tower connected to some glass corridors.
“The Imperial capital is just as quiet as always, Your Excellency .”
“Very good, Risya.”
The one greeting her was a bearded man with a large build wearing a military uniform.
The leader, Lord Yunmelngen.
“As reported, the Eight Great Apostles’ plan to capture the queen is underway. The other Saint Disciples have already left the Imperial capital, so I have come to report on that.”
“I see.”
Standing tall in the military uniform, he moved to the side of the glass corridor, jerking his chin toward the hallway.
“The Lord is waiting.”
“Cool. Thanks. And their mood?”
“Bored as usual. They say they’re nearing sixty-three on the boredom scale.”
“We should be fine as long as they don’t go over ninety. Last time they escaped from the Empire, they said they’d encountered Salinger. I’ve never been so rattled to the core.”
Lord Yunmelngen’s body double.
This man served to represent the Lord in the Imperial headquarters, in interviews, and on trips outside the Lord’s offices. He was the ninth body double .
There’s only one at the top.
And Lord Yunmelngen hasn’t changed in a hundred years.
At the end of this glass corridor was the topmost floor of the four-story tower, the Heaven Between Insight and Nosight.
The building had been designated by old theologians who had based it upon a domain in heaven accessible only when all earthy desires were abandoned.
The sharp scent of grass tickled Risya’s nose.
“Oh, it seems you’ve gotten new tatami mats again. I can’t stand the smell of rush plants.”
“ ? ”
“Well, I suppose it’s fine. I’m okay. I’m not complaining. It would be improper for a staff officer to have a complaint against Your Excellency, anyway.”
“ ? ”
Dozens of tatami mats had been spread underfoot. Risya took off her shoes and stepped up onto them, then reclined in a relaxed manner.
In front of her eyes…was something looking at her, lying down.
“What do you think, Your Excellency? Of this special mission?”
“ ? ”
“Well, it does seem fishy. I think the invasion will go well. We’ve already set a good precedent for it, and I think we will make it to the central state, but I would hate for the Eight Great Apostles and Test Subject E to be linked in the shadows.”
She took off her glasses. They got in the way when she was lying down. It was her little habit.
Even in her hazy vision, she could clearly make out the Lord’s outline.
It was a silvery thing, somewhere between a beast and a human .
“What shall we do? Joheim is away. Would you like me to stay with you?”
Risya’s role was staff officer. Regardless of whether the Eight Great Apostles had a special mission, her original purpose was to serve the Lord.
“ ? ”
In a whisper quiet enough that it could be heard only by Risya, the Lord told her something.
“…Well, that is certainly true. I suppose the other Saint Disciples will be upset if I skip out.” Risya smiled wanly.
She had heard the Lord’s reply.
“I understand. Well, I shall go and think of it as an opportunity to see this Test Subject E. I wonder what kind of monster it’s become.”
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