Discordant Duet on the Black Snowfield · Chapter 10

Epilogue

Council Member A

Then... regarding the information on the Void Star and its fragments...

Council Member B

Let's continue treating all detailed information related to Void activity as classified, in line with current policy.

Council Member C

I agree with the intent, but...

Can we really keep it confidential?

Council Member D

I share the sentiment.

Even if we've confirmed that the citizens of Kalaid have no detailed memories of what happened...

We can't exactly hide it from the leader of Orbital Search Team 3 or the two individuals directly involved.

Council Member B

As for that... let's designate them as persons of interest and keep them under close observation.

Council Member D

Hmm... Personally, I doubt we'll be able to keep this hidden from the public forever.

Council Member B

But surely we must prevent panic from spreading across the continent.

Council Member D

And who can guarantee that something similar won't happen again?

Council Member A

Ahem! It seems we won't be reaching a consensus.

As for what comes next... let's report this to Alicia and discuss it again afterward.

Council Member C

Agreed. I'll instruct the Orbital Search Team to conduct a more thorough investigation.

Claire

So, to sum it all up...

Because the Voyager Savior Party falls under Category A for this Savior Party support program, if you turn to page 42...

...Captain?

Huh? Yeah?

Claire

Are you actually listening?

O-of course.

Claire

...Then what support items is the Voyager Savior Party eligible to receive?

If you'd been listening carefully to my explanation, you'd be able to find them on page 89.

Well, that's...

Sorry, Claire! It was so complicated that I lost track halfway through...!

Claire

*Sigh...* I'll explain it again from the beginning, so listen carefully.

As the leader of a Savior Party, you should start getting used to administrative procedures like this.

Sorry...

Claire

No. It's all right.

We'll have to use one of my backup plans since we're already running late, but it can't be helped.

Besides, there isn't really anyone else at Candle Square I can trust with something like this.

Emily

Ms. Claire.

Claire

Hmm? Emily, what is it?

Emily

I've finished the defect repair plan you requested, organized next week's training schedule, and completed the supply distribution.

Claire

...You've already finished all of that?

You didn't forget or miss anything, did you?

Emily

No. It's all done.

And... I've also familiarized myself with the entire Savior Party support program you're currently explaining to the Captain.

If you're busy, I can take over.

Claire

...You? You went through all these complicated documents?

Emily

Yes.

Captain, would you mind if I helped you?

Well, I don't mind...

Emily

Then I'll just give the maids their instructions for the combat cleaning operation and be right back.

...Doesn't she seem completely different?

Claire

Yes. She used to forget even simple tasks almost immediately...

But she's been like this ever since she came back from her trip to Kalaid a little while ago.

Hmm... Maybe her forgetfulness really was caused by work stress.

Scarlet

Hahaha! Are you talking about Emily?

See? I told you!

All your problems disappear after you go out and have some fun!

You may thank me, Claire! Oh, and pancakes would make a fine reward!

Claire

...Scarlet. Perfect timing.

You're the one who dyed all the dormitory towels in rainbow colors, aren't you?

Scarlet

Eek...?! I-I don't know anything about—

Claire

Come with me. You're long overdue for a stern lesson.

Scarlet

C-Captain! Save me! Tell her I didn't do it!

...

Scarlet

Huh? Don't look away! Hey! Human Captain!

Trish

Where could Emily be... Hmm...

Oh? Captain! Long time no see.

Hi.

Trish

Ahaha! By any chance, have you seen Emily?

There's something I need to tell her...

Emily

Oh, Trish!

What brings you all the way here?

Trish

Haha! Obviously, I came to tell you about our next prey...!

And this is what we're hunting this time!

Emily

Hmm...! That's one vicious-looking creature.

Trish

Of course it is!

The way of the hunter! Never choose small fry as your prey!

Well? I picked a good one again, right?

Emily

It certainly looks like... it'll be a very dangerous hunt.

It looks formidable on its own too, so we're in for a tough fight...

*Huff...* *Huff...*

Trish

Ahaha! So you're coming too, right?

I'll wait until your day off, okay?

Emily

...Understood. I'm already looking forward to it.

You two go hunting together now?

Trish

Ah... Well, it just sort of happened!

We decided we'd go hunting together every now and then, like going out for fun.

When did you two get so close?

Emily

Fufu... We met not long ago when I went to Kalaid on a secret mission.

At first, I thought she was someone I'd never be able to get along with...

Trish

But after everything we went through together, we ended up becoming friends before we knew it! Ahaha!

All sorts of... things?

Trish

Haha... It's a long story!

But I can't tell you the details!

Emily

...I'm sorry, Captain. Unfortunately, it's classified operational information.

Trish

Hahaha! The way of the hunter! Know secrets even the Captain doesn't...!

Well? Aren't you curious, Captain? Ahem... If you really want to know...

If you're so curious you can barely stand it, maybe I could tell you—

Emily

Trish. Disclosing classified information is unacceptable.

Trish

All right, all right! I get it!

Emily

We absolutely must not tell him how the two of us stopped a huge conspiracy in Kalaid...

Or that Polaris asked us to maintain confidentiality...

We mustn't tell him anything like that.

Trish

Huh...?

...?

Emily

I-it's nothing.

Captain, you didn't hear anything just now.

Trish

Captain! Hurry up and say you didn't hear anything...!

Uh... Yeah...

What exactly happened between those two...?

Gwen

Hmm? Professor, you're back? Good work.

Lily

Professor, you're back!

Professor M

Yes. I made it back safely.

Gwen

How was your trip to Kalaid?

Professor M

My trip to Kalaid... was quite enjoyable.

And I accomplished what I set out to do.

Gwen

Hmm? Enjoyable?

Wasn't it difficult? You were stranded there longer than expected.

I heard the blizzard delayed the trains, and it was colder than usual too...

Professor M

Hmm... At first, I did think it would be a hassle.

But once I decided to think of it as an extended vacation, it wasn't so bad.

And thanks to that... I got to see something rather interesting.

Gwen

Really? Well, that's good to hear.

Lily

Professor! Professor!

Does the snow in Kalaid really pile up as high as a person?

Oh, did you make a snowman?

And... I heard there are lots of cute animals living in the Kalaid snowfields. Did you see any?

Like... polar bears?

Hmm? Mr. Rabbit. I-I know polar bears don't come down into downtown Kalaid...!

I'm allowed to ask, aren't I...!

Professor M

Fufufu. Lily, one question at a time.

Oh, right. Before we talk...

This is eternal snow ice cream, a specialty you can only get in Kalaid.

They said the box was treated with magic, so it shouldn't have melted yet.

Gwen

Oh...! Is this the one I've only heard about?

Lily

Wow! It looks delicious!

Wait right here. I'll go get plates and spoons!

Gwen

By the way, Professor.

There's something that's been bothering me...

Professor M

Hmm? What is it?

Gwen

That brooch. I've never seen it before. Did you buy it recently?

And that black stone set in it... Is that a gemstone?

Professor M

Fufufu. This...? It's nothing special.

You could call it... a little souvenir for myself.