Chapter 165 – I Shall Save Her

"Seldia and Coroshe..."

Letaria murmured it, her voice squeezed out of her.

That tensions between the two camps were rising and might one day erupt into a clash was something she had heard before.

But she had never imagined that matters would have advanced this far in the mere day she had spent unconscious and asleep.

"The evidence we obtained at the cargo station the other day has already been handed over to the homeland. So with a few more days' grace, a large-scale compulsory investigation by the homeland should go into Coroshe. Miss Priscilla has been in contact with Captain Heiras and arranged it."

Grain explained the current state of affairs matter-of-factly, arms folded.

"...Then, even if we do not force the issue here, will Coroshe not be naturally brought under control by the homeland?"

Letaria tilted her head and asked. But Milea's expression stiffened slightly at that outlook, and she shook her head quietly.

"The Coroshe side -- Argria above all -- is in more of a hurry than anything to settle this on their own terms. Before the homeland's inspection force intervenes in earnest, they mean to take Seldia by force... strictly speaking, to seize Syn-Fibra's technology and facilities outright."

Grain nodded and picked up where she left off.

"The desperate struggle of the side that's been cornered, in other words. But knowing that, we can't just ignore it. If they attack before the homeland moves, Seldia will naturally suffer enormous damage. That is the one thing we must avoid at all costs."

At Grain's words, Milea worked the console at her hand.

A three-dimensional holographic monitor floated up into the air, displaying detailed images of Coroshe's space stations and strongholds. At the same time, comparison data on the expected strength of both sides unfolded alongside a complex graph.

"We estimate that the pure strength the Coroshe Autonomous Forces hold on their own isn't all that large. At least if you count only the regular Autonomous Forces' total strength, it falls short of Seldia's defenses."

As if in answer to Grain's words, Milea operated another monitor and brought up Seldia's data. The blue-glowing graph of Seldia's strength clearly exceeded the Autonomous Forces' figures by about thirty percent.

"At least in the pure specs of the Makina used in the field, we have the advantage, running the current-model Rude as our base. Most of the machines the Coroshe Autonomous Forces have deployed are somewhat outdated older models, and the pilots' training and combat experience are probably higher on our side, too."

Grain nodded, a trace of confidence showing.

"But... there is one major concern."

As Milea said it, under the holographic Coroshe strength data, the word "Argria" appeared large, glowing red, in a separate frame.

"The strength Argria holds on its own... is that it, then?"

Impressed by Letaria's sharp instincts, Milea nodded deeply.

"Given Argria's corporate scale, I do not think they have a huge stock of ordinary Makina and armaments hidden away, but..."

Here Milea paused.

Grain spoke up in her place.

"The problem is -- the 'enhanced humans.'"

The instant she heard those words, the figure of the small, ash-gray-haired girl she had seen even in her dream rose vividly in Letaria's mind.

"Rofi..."

"According to the information obtained from the cargo station's data bank, the girl Rofi whom Letaria made contact with on-site, and the young man Marei who came in pursuit -- they seem to be the core of the enhanced-human unit. But those two aren't the only threat. We've found there are at least five more like them."

Grain furrowed his brow as he said it.

"Before we headed for Coroshe, the one who destroyed Aland's machine in the neutral zone, and who rode the green Crafid knockoff I fought, was Marei too. Which means the pilot of the machine Letaria fought directly..."

"Is Rofi, is it not."

At Letaria's confirmation, Grain nodded. "Yes."

"According to the data we obtained, the other enhanced humans are extremely unstable, mentally and physically, and there were doubts about whether they could be put into real combat at all... But since the other side has its back to the wall, we should assume they will throw them into actual battle without regard for appearances. Naturally, that girl Rofi will sortie as well."

At Grain's merciless words, Letaria's expression stiffened.

"We are also pushing ahead with emergency defense requests to the freelancers. Disputes between stations are sensitive matters. How many will answer the request and gather is unknown. But at worst, even if they don't come to the front lines, I want them to guard Seldia's rear against the opportunists who go for easy pickings in the chaos, as with Restful."

Having laid out the situation that far, Grain looked straight into Letaria's eyes.

"It will without doubt be an all-out war. Letaria, your strength is indispensable. ...By rights, I should not force this kind of fight on you when you've only just recovered, but..."

Grain trailed off with a bitter expression.

But before he could finish those unwilling words, Letaria answered without a beat.

"Of course! I shall do it!"

As if to blow away her unease, Letaria deliberately declared it cheerfully and firmly.

"This Seldia is my dear 'home' in this world. No matter what happens, I will protect it with my own hands without fail!"

Pausing for a beat, Letaria laid her hand gently on her own chest.

"And... Rofi will surely come out onto the battlefield too. In that case... I shall save her."

She declared it, her resolve renewed.

"Letaria..."

Milea looked at Letaria's profile.

"What is it, Milea? Please do not look so worried. I have the 'Arden' that you tuned for me! I will see it through without fail!"

At Letaria's strong words, as she puffed out her chest, Grain's mouth loosened too and he nodded, reassured.

"Thank you. I will back you up with everything I have."

Milea too shifted her mood and returned a strong gaze.

"Coroshe will probably begin its offensive in earnest two days from now. Until then, let each of us do all the preparation we can."

At Grain's closing words, Letaria and Milea nodded deeply in return.