General 111

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Chapter 111. The Elder's Melancholy

"Another transmission has come in from a high-ranking official of the Eastern Alliance, requesting asylum."

"Ho-ho. Thank you, young lady Suo. Would you like some sweets?"

In the Marshal's room of the Joint Staff Office, the elderly Anzama offers tea and sweets to the report-giving Marin, like a kindly old man.

"Thank you. I stopped counting after the 30th one."

"Ho-ho. The number is already enough to form a government in exile."

"It's no laughing matter that it includes three former heads of state."

Marin, eating the high-quality sweets with a blank expression, utters disdainfully. The elderly Anzama thinks that Marin still retains some childlike purity in her distaste and disappointment towards adults who shirk responsibility, but he refrains from mentioning it to the girl.

"This is the final moment for the nation. Those who are exposed to high-purity information are the first to escape from a sinking ship."

"Everyone is pitifully desperate to talk about state secrets to promote themselves."

"Well, it's too late to act now. We anticipated that the break-even point would be crossed."

"That means Colonel Hisaku Misuzu was very important to that country."

"Because there was hope that she alone could overturn the poverty of resources and technological disadvantage, domestic companies were investing in their own country. Relying entirely on one individual with spirit-gear abilities led to this end. Well, it’s painful for us too."

"Anzama-sama, there's something I'd like to bring to your attention."

Marin begins her report with a solemn expression, as the elderly Anzama sips from his teacup with a wry smile.

"Regarding Colonel Hisaku Misuzu, even with our country's intelligence capabilities, we could not grasp her presence."

"Indeed. We only became aware of her existence when we faced the battery that isolated First Seat Kamiya."

"The Eastern Alliance's people were literally risking their lives on this project. There must have been significant money and personnel involved. It’s inconceivable that it didn’t catch any of our intelligence networks."

"Your espionage too, isn't all-powerful, right? Besides, one person can't keep an eye on everything in the nation."

The elderly Anzama's voice was full of the kind of benevolent affection one might show a hardworking granddaughter.

However, that kindly face twisted at Marin's next words.

"Even if their concealment was done from Japan?"

"...Is there evidence?"

The kindly face was replaced by the stern countenance of a former military general.

"There isn't. However, a highly probable hypothesis can be made."

The elderly Anzama silently urged Marin to continue.

"This incident seems to be more about information falsification rather than being cunningly concealed."

"I see. If even areas covered by the veil of secrecy could not be detected, that would be the case."

"If the Eastern Alliance had the capability for advanced information falsification, they would use that power to hide the loss of Colonel Hisaku Misuzu with all their might. Officials fleeing would prefer that the discovery be delayed, so they would have ordered information falsification."

"Indeed."

On this point, the elderly Anzama agreed with a nod, likely because it matched his own premonitions.

"However, information falsification was not carried out this time. It must have been because it no longer served any purpose. It’s natural to think that it has already reached those who should not know."

"How does that lead to the argument that information falsification was done by the Japanese side? There might also be unknown spirit-gear users from the States or Euro involved."

"A toothless former great power would not have such capability or courage. If they did, they would be the first to curry favor with our country. Those who have abandoned the grand goal of preventing world destruction and accepted a slow death would not do anything so bold as to obstruct us now."

"…………"

"Did you see the diplomatic materials? The States and Euro immediately sent over documents groveling to us, like they were begging for their lives, with the ambassador bringing papers that said they would accept even more inspections and supervision."

The elderly Anzama remained silent, knowing well that the likelihood of the States or Euro being involved in this matter was low.

"And in Japan, if we’re talking about a Soul Armor user who could do such things..."

"…I’ll handle that part. No need for your interference."

Seeing that there was no objection from the elderly Anzama, Marin was about to reach a conclusion when she was interrupted.

"I expected you would say that. I will await your next steps."

Marin, undisturbed by having her conclusion taken from her, politely bows and exits the Marshal's room.

After Marin left, the elderly Anzama sat on the sofa in the Marshal's room, looking up at the ceiling to rest his exhausted brain.

"Honestly... why do the young ones always cause such troublesome messes? My retirement seems further and further away..."

His monologue to the ceiling came back to him as a reflection. And remembering that he too was once a young officer filled with passionate energy, he frowned.

"Tachibana, pull yourself together and stop frothing! How shameful to be outdone by a young girl!"

The head of Marshal Tachibana, who had long since exceeded stress levels and was rolling his eyes at his desk, was likely smacked by the elderly Anzama's frustration.