Strategic Alliance
*Cough* *Cough!* Is everyone all right?
After several exchanges of blows...
The dust rising from the shattered walls and floor filled the cavern.
I-I think so... For now, at least...
The instant the battle began, Tyria swung her greatsword, overflowing with Void Force.
Any one of those strikes would have been fatal if it landed cleanly.
*Huff* *Huff...*
Leave the defense... to us...!
Despite the sudden change in tactical command, Charlotte and Carmen didn't panic and focused entirely on holding back Tyria's attacks.
They were barely managing to endure each strike—but thanks to that, the Voyager Savior Party could at least mount a counterattack.
If anyone is injured, I'll treat them!
When we had confronted Gille before, the gap between her and us was overwhelmingly impossible to bridge.
We only survived then because she chose to withdraw while we stood on the edge of defeat.
...But this time, things were different.
We had Luna, Smile, Omega...
And the Monastir Knights with us.
This time was definitely different. Even so...
How many more attacks could we withstand? Could we strike Tyria hard enough before then?
Even if we could, a [victory that comes with irreversible damage] would mean nothing to us.
...
...Maybe I should've crushed you back then after all.
Tyria's early composure had faded as well. She quietly steadied her breathing and adjusted her stance.
We had reached a point where both of us would have to commit completely.
Because we all understood that, the standoff lingered in silence.
...Wait. Stop!
If anyone moved, the battle would resume immediately.
Before that could happen, I stepped forward and shouted.
...Hmm?
If we're going to keep fighting, shouldn't we at least choose a different place?
This place puts all of us at a disadvantage.
We were inside an underground cavern. If it collapsed from the shockwaves of the battle, we'd all be crushed.
An Executor like Tyria might be able to survive, but even for her, it would not be a risk worth taking.
S-so maybe we regroup a little first...
And fight at full strength?
...What?
The look Tyria gave me was cold in more ways than one.
Running your mouth in the middle of a fight... just like always.
Huh? What do you mean, [just like always]...?
Have we met before?
Hmph. Maybe.
Anyway... what are you trying to say? You want to take this fight outside?
Of course, I hadn't asked for a timeout just to simply change locations.
Something you said earlier...
It's been bothering me.
*Sigh* And you think now is the time to bring that up?
It was something Tyria said before the battle began.
Her talk about [destroying the Heart of the Star to prevent an even greater destruction] kept lingering in my mind.
...Hmph.
You seem to know about [Gille].
...Are you talking about that other Executor?
Yes. I thought she was buried in the witch's trash heap, but somehow she crawled out and became active again.
That damned former coworker of mine came to see me recently and told me something.
She said that Lord [Aldebaran] would return.
What? [Aldebaran, the Void Star]...?
Yes. Not the kind of thing she'd lie about. So it's probably true.
And that idiot made a direct request.
To find the Heart of the Star hidden in this country and destroy it.
If I did not... she said she would erase this country herself.
I know that hardheaded fool well.
Once she says something, she always follows through.
...Well, I don't particularly care how many humans die, but...
But if this country turns to ash, that would be a serious inconvenience to my daily life.
What are you—
Yes, yes. I know it's not a pleasant choice.
Thanks to the Heart of the Star, Monastir's climate is warmer than the northern regions.
If it disappears... this place will become much colder. Probably.
Some crops won't grow anymore...
Some of the vegetables I like will become harder to get my hands on for a while.
The seasonal flowers, the forests, the mountains—all of it will change.
...But [that's acceptable], no?
Compared to the destruction of an entire country, that's something you can endure, isn't it?
If you can't even accept that much, someone far worse than me will show up...
But unlike me, she won't stop with just the Heart of the Star. She'll devastate this entire country.
I don't need to explain how different the number of casualties would be.
Kgh...! Talking like that... isn't fair...!
Say whatever you want. Hate me if you like.
I don't care what you think. Not even in the slightest.
You're an Executor...
So why are you trying to prevent Monastir from greater destruction?
At my question, Tyria suddenly fell silent and looked at us.
...
The look in her eyes wasn't as cold as before.
...It's just something personal.
Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me anyway.
Even so, I'd appreciate it if you told us.
If this couldn't be resolved through conversation, the only possible end to this standoff was the battle resuming.
I don't think any of us actually want to keep fighting.
Mm. The way you're phrasing it really makes me not want to say yes.
...Please.
I want to know what you're really after.
Hmph. Fine. Then I'll be completely honest.
All I want is [to keep living my peaceful daily life].
I've been living quietly in Monastir all this time.
A long time ago... I did try fulfilling [my duties as an Executor]. But things didn't go very well.
...And after that, a very long time passed. Too much time, in fact.
Honestly, I don't care about Executor duties anymore.
Then what you want is...
Just like you, I want Monastir to stay peaceful.
I told you, didn't I? I've lived here since long before any of you were born.
I just want that life to continue as long as possible.
For someone who was fighting us moments ago to destroy the Heart of the Star, it was completely unexpected.
Yet, if what she said was true...
Then our interests were aligned in wanting peace for Monastir.
Then maybe we should—
I stopped mid-sentence and looked around at the others.
Everyone looked stunned by the unexpected turn of events. No one seemed to realize what I was about to suggest yet.
...!
...No. There was another.
Someone thinking exactly the same thing I was.
...Mm!
We exchanged a glance and nodded.
Trusting the determination shining in the princess's eyes, I handed over the reins to her.
Excuse me, but how about this?
Allow me to make a proposal.
A proposal...?
Yes. This is an official proposal made in the name of Frey la Monastir—rightful heir to Monastir—on behalf of the nation itself.
I propose that we join forces!
...What?
...Huh?
...Hmm?
Even Tyria seemed caught off guard. The Void aura lingering around her dispersed instantly.
Frey continued confidently.
That's right. I propose we fight together.
P-Princess Frey!! What are you talking about?!
...Against whom?
Our target is the other Executor, [Gille].
Are you sure about this?
Of course, I am.
Let's consider this from a calm and rational perspective—a [business mindset].
A [business mindset]...?
Perhaps in the past we competed with each other.
But now, we're like two businiess with separate customer bases and stable market positions.
And now an outside competitor backed by massive capital is trying to push into our market.
It's not easy to fight that kind of opponent alone. Sharing a little market territory with each other might be the wiser option.
Otherwise we'll end up fighting for a piece of each other's shares and bleeding ourselves dry.
But if that happens... who benefits the most?
Th-the major capital!
Exactly! All that would remain for us is loss!
On the other hand, if we join hands and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome, we're the ones who stand to gain the most!
Th-that... makes sense...?
Whoa...! So you weren't just throwing around business talk to sound impressive after all!
N-no... From my perspective, the matter of risk management has been entirely overlooked...
This sounds exactly like the sort of ambitious business plan Lady Frey would propose...
As for the risks if we lose against a massive capital dominating the market... I'll choose not to think about those. But—
But whether we can trust this collaborator is a different issue...!
Ah. I agree with that.
S-see?! Even she says so!
Yeah, if Monastir really meant that much to you, couldn't you have fought Gille yourself?
Well, going up against your superior isn't an easy choice.
Who says I even have a superior?!
Oh, right. You said she was a coworker, didn't you?
Then perhaps... it's because you couldn't guarantee a complete victory by yourself?
...
What do you think of the odds of us winning? Even? Or maybe... six to four?
With six in Gille's favor—
No, seven...
...Say one more word and I'll kill you right here.
After facing her directly, I understood. Tyria was strong—but for some reason, she wasn't on the same level as Gille.
Whether it was a difference in resolve caused by unwanted orders, a difference in ability between Executors...
Or something else entirely—I couldn't tell.
If it's not because she's your superior officer or because you have little chance of winning against her...
Then are Executors like a big happy family? Family members should care for and love one another!
You should be a good little sister who listens to her big sister!
...Or maybe! Could it be some other kind of affection we just don't understand?!
A twisted relationship of domination and submission. An unconscious ecstasy blooming deep within disgust.
Are all of you insane?!
If it's none of those...
Then the only conclusion left is [workplace harassment]!
It probably wasn't my imagination that Tyria looked more tired than before.
The best way to resolve all of this is...
For us to join forces and confront Gille together!
Frey declared proudly.
At some point, the massive greatsword had already disappeared from Tyria's hand.
...And we might even be able to delay Aldebaran's return.
I added that while cautiously gauging Tyria's reaction, but she didn't respond.
...
What do you think?
...Today's been exhausting.
Let's meet again tomorrow.
I'll give you my answer then.
With that, Tyria turned and disappeared into the darkness.