Koskero defined himself and the others.
"You are an important retainer and you said we are a 'weapon'. A weapon is wielded by someone, so you've said that we're worthy of being wielded."
He defined them through his words.
Even if they were rejected or overturned, words were a definition.
And negotiations were composed of words.
…Captain was always talking about this.
Koskero belatedly wished he had done more negotiation training. And he was certain he would wish the same thing countless times over the next half hour or so.
"Wen, back me up here, okay?"
"Should I assist you? Should I support you?"
"Can't you figure it out on your own?"
"Alright. Then I should do what I think is best. …Should I negotiate in your place?"
"Wow, do I look that bad at this?"
But that was just who he was.
He knew he was not the kind of person who should be doing this.
But he also knew he had to do it here.
They could reach an agreement more easily in the current circumstances and that would benefit Galopoula.
"We will assist you," he said to Mochichiyo.
"I will hear you out."
She did not accept the term "assist". That meant she would not view them as "assistance".
She was saying she had no intention of being indebted to them.
Her stance was that Galopoula doing Aftokrator's dirty work was the natural state of things.
But he could not allow that.
He ignored her implicit rejection of the word "assist" and kept going.
"As a reward for our assistance, please have your nation protect Galopoula until we can settle things ourselves."
That was what they truly wanted.
.
Mochichiyo picked up a nearby container.
It contained a yogurt drink. It was a whey drink with as much fat as possible removed from it, so it was supposedly quite refreshing when you were tired. The guy at the counter had said 'Refreshed! You feel refreshed!", but she was not sure how much she believed it. For one thing, it seemed odd to name the menu item Lassi Kimura. Kimura apparently meant strawberry flavor. This is what they had learned from Miden.
But Mochichiyo took a sip.
...Oh, it is refreshing.
With that in mind, she thought about Koskero's request.
"...You want protection for Galopoula until you can get out from under Aftokrator?"
"Correct. It's not a bad deal. Besides, the attack on Miden happening soon was at Afto's request and we are getting help from others in exchange for them not being there. We're only asking for you to protect Galopoula as a part of that."
"It's not like you have any authority over Galopoula." Mochichiyo spoke in a testing manner. "And that exchange was fine enough for the other nations. Not Galopoula though. This meeting is proof of that."
"Oh, so you do understand. That's the point." Koskero pointed at himself with his thumb. "I'm talking about Galopoula's land. ...If you don't protect that, then it's all pointless. Think of it as a request from Galopoula being delivered via you."
"What about the fact that you have no authority in this matter?"
"Correct." Koskero nodded. "Do you really think our own people with authority are going today not having Galopoula's people protected? It can be an empty promise, but we want to define our value as fighters."
He took a breath before continuing.
"That's what we really want."
.
"Listen," Mochichiyo heard Koskero say. "At the end of the day, Galopoula's forces are the ones on the frontline. Our condition for winning isn't a complete victory."
She was aware of that. It was described in a particular message.
This would demonstrate Galopoula's courage and establish a high opinion of them in later situations.
"How about it?" asked Koskero. "If you protect us, Galopoula's forces can have an easier time meeting the condition for victory."
But he was not done speaking.
"For Afto, this light condition would seem like a good enough victory against Miden after they retreated. And even if we happen to 'completely win' while we're at it, it can always be interpreted around."
How about it?
"During the time where your nation - Pagoménos - was conducting a strange experiment, Miden had been visiting, right? That means they have some knowledge of what you had been doing in your permafrost nation. This can be a way to get that information back." Koskero sat up straight. "Galopoula will not betray Pagoménos' trust. …So can't you do as we ask here?"
.
...Not good...
Koskero was sweating in his heart.
He had made some decent bluffs, but there was no way to guarantee any of it.
And he had hidden and glossed over everything inconvenient to them.
He was really hoping Mochichiyo could completely forget the first half of what he said.
Would that be possible?
...No, I guess not...
"Koskero, that was quite forceful, but I think you did express our main selling points."
Wen Sō used the brief pause to covertly speak to him using their coms.
"Can't you look at this positively?"
...A lot of help you are...
He was glad Kigisa was back with the rest of their group right now. He hated to think what this would be like with both of them criticizing him.
But Wen Sō was right about one thing.
He had listed off their strong points.
"You know the biggest advantage of protecting Galo, don't you?"
It was…
"Galo is your surefire attack against Miden while also staying under the radar. And on the same level as Afto during their invasion."
Koskero hid the lack of confidence in his heart as he formed the words. And he thought, Before long, others may get a bit jumpy about Miden if they continue to win.
Aftokrator would see it as nothing more than they already did, but that did not mean others would.
Other nations would try their hand or back down even more if Miden started stacking up more wins.
Not only had they managed to push back Aftokrator after their invasion, the strange group known as Wanderers had also come to an agreement with them.
So…
"You can give multiple nations a single advantage for when it is needed. Can't you do that for us too?" said Koskero. "We will help you here. We will fight on the front line and ensure you're capable of preserving us. And in exchange for preserving Galo, we'll stubbornly hide your actions. Isn't that good enough?"
He was aware he was making up his argument as he went along, but deep in his heart, something else was apparent to him.
...Most of what I'm saying is true.
Did that mean he was being watched over?
But this was still important. After all...
…Galo's current state is…
.
…Smaller nations are in such a difficult position.
Koskero thought about the nation of Galopoula.
It was small, when compared to some others.
The scenery was much different than others as well. Even their seasons could be viewed differently because of where they were.
But it had always been nice to the ones living there.
That allowed them to enjoy their times in their land, but it also meant other nations invaded or intervened a lot, so they had to spend what they could on defense and survival.
In that land, it was difficult to take back what had been lost.
So they could not afford to lose anything.
That was the most important thing to them: Galopoula's land.
Even after losing their fight to Aftokrator and becoming their retainers, it was their home that they felt "this is still the place".
"...Honestly."
Koskero looked at Mochichiyo.
She was an important trion soldier for a nation not taken by anyone else, so she most likely knew their history.
After all, that nation had also been to Galopoula.
They had chosen not to do anything there.
So what kind of future had they felt was in store for them once they had been taken by Aftokrator?
There was only one thing Koskero could say about that:
"We don't know what it's like to be accepted by a large nation."
That was right.
When you were needed by a large nation, you were also protected by its presence and its rules.
It could be said that it was the case with them, but it was clear that it was just one ruling nation subjugating another. So...
"But nations like ours really do need people like us fighting for them."
They could not swap out their fighting force like a large nation could.
"If we're lost, it's all over," said Koskero. "So how about it, Mochichiyo?"
He threw the words out there and received an immediate response. It was a calm reply.
"Don't come begging to us, goo-throwing boy."
.
Mochichiyo formed her words.
The corners of her mouth rose as she looked straight at Koskero.
...I see.
It was true Aftokrator had not seemed to care for the ones they had taken.
In fact, she was sure they would be the same way.
Every nation was similar like that. The stronger nations would only view the weaker ones as one to conquer and advance throughout the Neighborhood.
But sometimes even stronger nations would appear from outside that.
Miden was an example, as were the Wanderers.
Everyone did it and it happened everywhere.
Just like people would start using "better" cookware and clothing in their everyday life, the personalities known as "nations" would select the very best of whatever they needed.
How many years had it been now?
Nations who had been expected to grow into strong ones had been taken or destroyed and the original nations were gone.
The same almost happened with her own nation and she had simply thought "these things happened" when she thought about it.
So...
"Sorry, but telling me about a smaller nation's inferiority complex isn't going to change my mind," she said. "Besides, large nations are run by the people too. So that's where my focus is: the people. The protection of a large nation's presence and rules is no more than an advantage that nation has. You may look at a small nation as its people, but in that case, the lack of protection due to the small nation's weakness and rules is no more than a disadvantage that nations has. ...Don't just assume it justifies your inferiority complex."
She took a breath.
"Just get to the point: What do you want and what can you do, Koskero?"
.
Koskero began sweating profusely in his heart.
...So I screwed it up!
No, he had to view it as a good thing that she was willing to hear him out.
I sure get caught up in sentiment easily. I was giving off the wrong sort of presence, wasn't I? I hope I haven't let my passiveness show too much.
At any rate, she had asked him to speak.
...But I just did a bunch of speaking.
No.
Before, he had been forcing their hopes onto her.
Now it was time for reality.
So he knew what he had to say here.
"We will join in that information search, if we can find it in time."
This was the procedure.
He had to list what they could do and what they would need to prepare.
"We have trion soldiers sent in from Rhodochroun. Dogs and Idras. Having some more would be nice."
"Wouldn't that be a lot?"
"Will you give us more?"
Mochichiyo smiled at that. He was not sure why she smiled.
If she would give them more, he just had to take as many as he could get. But Mochichiyo looked at him and made a comment.
"That look on your face tells me you can do more than that."
"Let's leave that as a surprise. …We do have one thing we have stubbornly prepared but have held in reserve. We really don't plan on using it against Miden, though."
"Is that so?" Mochichiyo then looked behind him. "Next."
Wen Sō stood there.
The woman was apparently ready to respond. She immediately spoke over his shoulder.
It was in a calm voice.
"Can you make some offense for a defensive person?"
"You don't like making things simple, do you?"
Mochichiyo smiled bitterly and placed a hand on her chin. Koskero thought this was a sincere reaction.
He felt they were being honest with each other now.
...Huh?
He mentally tilted his head.
He had thought he had angered Mochichiyo by creating an unnecessarily emotional atmosphere.
So why were they being honest with each other now?
...W-well, I guess it doesn't matter.
He did not understand, but he was not going to find fault with a favorable result.
But this response was somewhat bad. After all...
...Does that mean she can't prepare an offense for Shi?
Shi Muon's Kipourós was unique. Since it was a simple Trigger that had not been meant for actual fights, it was mainly used for defense. Since Shi Muon was even more passive than he was, she tended to block attacks and relied on others for offense.
Depending on how things got done, she would be used as nothing more than a simple wall to get over, but...
...Either way, she needs something heavy.
She seemed to be even more hesitant than ever to attack Miden. She had never said anything about it, but her mindset made her difficult to move since she would not be able to bring herself to actually harm anyone no matter if they were an enemy.
But there was a way.
Providing information here would not leave anyone indebted to anyone, so Koskero did not hesitate to speak up.
"Mochichiyo. …One or two Demons would be fine. They only need to have offensive capabilities. While I doubt they would fit well with the person Wen is talking about, they should be enough that it won't matter."
"That's right. ...That's a good idea."
"Then," said Mochichiyo before Wen Sō replied.
"Kigisa will need bodyguards to make full use of her Trigger and her style of fighting. Also," said Wen Sō. "Yes, would it be possible to allow her to take some of your 'stylish clothing'?"
.
"...And here I thought I was in charge."
"Oh? Did Koskero want to talk about Kigisa's clothing?"
"No, most of my memories of her have her wearing a tight suit..."
"Ah, so you're a fan of seeing it all. Oh, is that why you look at Shi Muon like that?"
"...Is it just me or have you gotten harsher lately?"
.
Wen Sō ignored Koskero's complaint.
It was true she had recently been more snippy with the rest of them. She had mostly been doing so to keep them on their toes and because she wanted to be alert around Shi Muon, but in addition to that...
…My position isn't one of the best so I choose to just stick around Shi Muon to make sure everything is fine.
Whenever she found something she could do, she would make sure Shi Muon was within eyesight, something she had recently become aware of.
As a result, she had come to terms with herself and would mention this after their attack. Long story short, it meant sacrificing Koskero like this.
"Anyway, Kigisa's Trigger should work on Miden. If she can secure an open enough location on adjoining land, the geographic features should allow her to produce as much power as in Galo's land."
"I see." Mochichiyo crossed her arms and nodded. And she took a sip of her drink. "Ah. Maybe it's because of this heated conversation, but that really is refreshing."
She smiled a little.
Her shoulders shook as she took a slow breath.
"Now it's my turn to speak."
Her smiling eyes faced straight forward again. She re-crossed her legs and opened her mouth.
"Sorry," she said. "But your selling points aren't really doing it for me."
.
"Listen," said Mochichiyo. "You say that, if Galo is protected, Galo can strike at Miden when we find it optimal. ...That is admittedly important. But you know what?"
There was something she had to say here. It was a matter of reality, not sentiment.
"Listen," she said again. "By the time we find it optimal, we will have everything we need. Miden would also advance more by then. What good is striking back at that point?"
Koskero and Wen Sō remained expressionless, but that was to be expected with negotiations.
But that utter lack of reaction eloquently told her what was going on in their heads.
...The truly skilled ones will intentionally let the mask slip at times like this.
But these were combatants from a defeated nation, so she could not expect that from them. That was the entire reason she had been requested as a fitting force for Galopoula.
But they would be disappointed in themselves for how things were going.
Besides, she understood what this Galopoula group was trying to say.
"You said Galo is a defeated nation, didn't you?"
"In essence, yes, I did."
"Right." Mochichiyo nodded. And, "Koskero. ...Then you went on to say that Galo is a presence capable of dealing a blow to Miden when it counts."
"I wasn't quite that wordy about it, but...yes, I did."
"Then." Mochichiyo took a breath. "This is not going to be easy for Galo, is it?"
Koskero's cheeks moved like he wanted to say something, but then they stopped.
...That's right.
Koskero knew the fate of small nations that were caught up in the plans of a stronger nation.
After all, she was a trion soldier made to get out from under those stronger nations.
She knew very well that small nations could be dealt with and easily trampled on by the whims of a large nation. She had done it herself at times.
Galopoulas was the same.
"With this attack abasing Miden, Galo has two major events to their names: the defeat to Afto that caused them to be in this position, and the attack they tried against Miden."
And…
"In the loss against Afto, you lost the right to choose for yourselves what to do and so you have to follow orders."
"You've sure studied up on this."
"I was managing our fighting force up until recently, if you recall."
Mochichiyo smiled a little and realized she was being self-deprecating.
It was pathetic for two losers to fight over who had the superior position. But...
...This is necessary.
They were Miden-neutral and they would remain as such until they stepped down from the stage of fighting.
She could not allow them to use their power incorrectly.
She was something of an elder fighter to them and had the support of a large nation. She could not accurately measure how open-minded she was, but she thought she was viewing all the major pieces that were moving history.
So she said it.
"Galo will be under attack by the nations and groups trying to join Miden. And not just in the physical form of war. It will include political and economic attacks."
That was why the Wanderers' Leader Futoyuki, their second leader, had fled to Miden the other day. His request for asylum was an unknown result to them, but the action still made it harder for other nations to make a move against that strange group.
The problem were the nations that had no choice in the matter. That included ones like Galopoula and the other retainers that Aftokrator had forced into place.
...They will be under attack by the other nations.
Galopoula would of course be prepared for that. And they likely intended to survive after the attack like that, but…
"Most likely, the main force will be moved to action before you think it's right. Then the remaining fights you have will carry out any battles after."
And the main force would fulfill the conditions needed to be viewed as a victory.
She did understand why they would try to do that.
A note sent to her said that, because of this attack, Galopoula would likely be a none appearance territory that they should not go near due to being under Aftokrator and having attacked Miden.
A small nation tossed about by the age of occupation would likely have a definite destination.
She knew what would be the deciding factor in all this:
"Who will help in the end, hm?"
They intended to only do the bare minimum to obtain a "victory" and to perform what is needed from them without seeming like they didn't try.
They were showing the willpower of a small nation.
And they would make sure they had a future.
That was why these two were here to negotiate.
They wanted their fellow Galopoula residents to be protected to ensure they all had a future.
They wanted to protect the fighting force that would be worn down before they could even think of reclaiming themselves thanks to the attacks from other nations.
And it was of course about more than just their fighting force.
It would also be about the people who lived on Galopoula land and about that land itself.
If they were to have a future, they needed to protect more than just a fighting force.
...In that case...
This was not something Mochichiyo could decide on her own.
This was an issue requiring a decision from a living person of her land or from an official with the authority to manage the ones involved.
But she was not in charge of much and she had not contacted any living person about any of this. The battle she had wanted to fight was to reclaim their pride in order to eliminate one of the losses they had taken long ago, but she had not actually gotten a living person's approval.
She had been relying on the assumption that a living person would pick up on her intentions here. But...
"—"
The two from Galopoula looked at her with strength in their eyes.
They had to know how little political power Mochichiyo had at the moment, but they were still relying on her decision.
Was Galopoula really that important to them?
...Honestly.
Mochichiyo had to wonder what the difference between them and her was. She thought about it in a positive light.
This had been a hopeless endeavor from the start.
However...
"I understand what you're trying to say."
"But?"
"You really won't be of any use to Pagoménos at the important moment."
That was the only possible conclusion there.
"If you are to be of some use to Pago, it would have to be at the time we find our 'Cancer' that was lost long ago. …That battle will likely take place on Miden, holding them in place while also being used, and prevents them from trying anything else afterwards. So as a trion soldier of Pago, my advice is to focus on what you think you will be like during that time instead," said Mochichiyo. "Besides, today…no I guess it would be yesterday by now. Regardless, those wanderers had made their mark to the ones fighting for Miden. That means any major battles for them will involve the Wanderers, right?
Mochichiyo stated her conclusion.
"Galopoula. ...I cannot grant you what you want here."
.
Koskero heard Mochichiyo say she could not support or protect Galopoula.
Yeah, I had a feeling, he thought.
...Damn.
He had managed to convince himself it might work, but it might not be possible after all.
Participating in a battle meant gaining the right to speak within that battle. So during the strategizing phase, it was possible to use your combat force to negotiate with another nation.
So he had thought he might be able to work out a deal with this battle approaching. However...
"—"
It might not be possible after all.
…The captain or Rata might be able to pull through in this tricky situation.
But what about the normal people or non-combatants?
Damn, he thought. I need to keep trying.
"Umm."
He opened a sign frame.
This was no time to worry about how he looked.
The other person had revealed her hand and was listening to him.
It was just that her current and future positions did not fit with their future.
Was there no way of changing that?
...Damn.
They had sent out some trion soldiers, so they had been able to gather some intelligence. But he could only access so much information since he could only connect to his own group's network instead of any other particular one.
Two major points had happened at Miden recently, but...
...We don't really know how those played out in full.
He also wanted to re-investigate those two events to get a new look at it.
"Mochichiyo."
"Yes?"
"We don't have authorization to open any transmission from this ship to the outside. Could I borrow your authorization? …I want to take a look at the situation in front of us."
.
"I see," said Mochichiyo while giving a nod of approval.
Her own transmissions are personal, but...
"Oh, I can set up an interface."
Given that comment from the woman behind him, it would probably be fine.
Koskero immediately faced in front of himself. He quickly used his eyes to move the things that appeared in front of him.
"Are you greeting Galopoula?"
But just as she asked that...
"...?"
Koskero stopped moving.
He frowned and the things in front of him moved down so that he could use his hands to move it. Those hands then came to a stop.
"What's wrong?"
"Mochichiyo. ...Was your authorization shut down?"
"No, mine is still up."
Her own information was showing data from Pagoménos. She could access their information network through her core and the connection was fast. But...
"Galopoula's transmissions have closed."
"Most likely, you would need to use a new password," explained Wen Sō. "In other words…with our leaving, Galopoula wanted to make sure only a select few could properly contact them."
Mochichiyo knew what that meant.
"Galo is really relying on you here so they don't have to deal with Afto."
.
Galopoula was on the way to a destination.
Mochichiyo understood that as she took a breath.
...This is our reality.
Koskero's group could do nothing to oppose Aftokrator at the current moment and that was terrifying.
It would mean they were less at risk of attacks and interference from other nations, but it meant the hold on them was just that strong.
Personally, she wished she could have protected them.
She felt like she could have accomplished that to an extent if she sent a transmission to a living person. After all, a living person had been the one to make her and her strongly held core.
But if she did that, a living person would probably grow overly considerate.
It might create an excess burden for them.
And the situation was dangerous enough as it was.
Mochichiyo was cooperating with other nations to eliminate one of the losses from back when those two men had defeated their Demons, but she would be acting separately from those nations during actual battles. While moving around the ship, she had confirmed that Pagoménos could not cooperate with those other nations, and...
...They're using us as bait to catch an even greater prize.
That was obvious enough from how those nations were acting.
And Mochichiyo could make a good guess what prize they were trying to catch.
It would be a major loss for Pagoménos. It would also be a harsh battle for the ones attacked, but they would win big if they succeeded.
Mochichiyo felt certain that that was going to occur.
She had no way of stopping it.
But, she thought.
"If only I had my own fighting force."
If only she had power.
"Then maybe I could fight some more and reduce this coming loss at least by a little."
"What are you-...?"
"A group will be coming to save me. I want a loss that leaves no regrets and reduces the burden on everyone else, but they will still come here and create an even greater loss."
"Can you trust in your comrades?" asked the woman.
"Yeah. We know each other well enough for that."
So...
"I don't want to be a burden on them."
And just as she said that...
"Wait."
Koskero raised his hand.
She looked up to find he was not looking at her.
His eyes were on the information in front of him and his mouth was open.
She heard a trembling voice.
"There is one thing I would like to check on."
Namely…
"This entire meeting. …I would like to reconfirm who agreed to this meeting and what Galopoula was supposed to gain from it."
"Huh? We went over this. It was on a living person's request and the Galo group gets a chance at a fighting force from it."
"That's right," said Koskero. "But as far as I can tell, 'Galopoula as a whole' isn't included in that. And 'a fighting force' doesn't specify anything and doesn't guarantee anything. Of course, your living people are..."
"...not the kind of people to go back on a promise."
Koskero silently nodded.
"Then I'll let go of one thing."
That being…
"The 'fighting force' is probably the remains of something else. So I won't insist you allow your stronger groups to participate in the Miden attack."
.
...Not bad.
Mochichiyo was silently impressed.
What Koskero had done was simple.
He had split the conditions of his negotiation in two and backed off from one of them.
Koskero probably had not gathered his thoughts beforehand. He was also inexperienced as a negotiator. That was why he only now said something for the first time.
"Please protect the nation of Galopoula by providing what you can."
This demand was likely born from this simple meeting request and the thought of Pagoménos getting rid of their junk. Before, he had been negotiating for a fighting force and the protection of Galopoula as an extension of this simple meeting.
But he had just backed off from one of those.
He would let the living people handle the idea of protecting Galopoula.
Nothing was promised, but it was something that only a living person could agree to.
In fact, it made the negotiation much simpler.
But it had changed what they were negotiating about.
After all, she had been negotiating while accepting Koskero's words at face value.
So...
...Since I was accepting both demands at once, I have to give some ground now that he's backed off from one of them!
This was an official negotiation.
She had grown careless partially because of Koskero's limited negotiation experience.
She had also concluded she would end up rejecting any demands because she had no authority to grant them.
So she had discussed the "protection" Koskero demanded as if it applied to both the current Galopoula group and the nation of Galopoula.
Koskero had now backed off from one of those.
He had compromised.
"...?"
The look on his face suggested he had not planned this.
He had narrowed down his argument without really knowing what he was doing.
There of course had to be a reason why he did that.
...Was it that information!?
That had told him something that he needed to confirm his standing and beyond that. Seeing that had shown him the resolve he needed for this.
That had erased the arrogant idea that he had to protect everything.
He was left with only the desire to protect the people who would not benefit from any sort of protection from Aftokrator.
That had led to this unintentional negotiation trick, but the rules were the rules.
He had indeed removed one of his two demands.
That was a compromise, so...
"—"
Mochichiyo was unsure how to respond.
.
...Huh?
Koskero realized the atmosphere had grown quite heavy.
That was thanks to Mochichiyo.
She had fallen silent and was staring at him with her arms crossed.
...Crap... Did I do something wrong?
He had only been trying to make a clear division between the two aspects of this issue.
He had realized something when the Galopoula transmission had been cut off.
...I can't hope to match Aftokrator.
They had enough resolve to get the normal citizens caught in the middle.
Koskero could not take things that far.
In a way, that probably meant he had not fully brought himself to go into invasions yet with a steel resolve.
He could not ask someone else to take the hits.
He did not know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but...
"Can't I at least ask for the protection of the people who are hard pressed to fight?"
How about that?
If they were just talking about their group, there would be less issues. As a group ready to attack, they would have to step forward if they were to attack.
So even with the way things turned out, there was no longer a way of protecting them.
"Does this mean the captain and Pago's living people are trying to attack some sort of opportunity here? An Attack of Zero, if you will?"
"Who thought it was a good idea to let this woman do that...?"
But even that silly pun gave him a quick break.
If possible, he wanted to gain at least something for their upcoming fight.
...But I guess that wouldn't be possible...
But just as he thought that...
"Koskero."
Mochichiyo suddenly called out to him.
Her eyebrows lay flat and she seemed to be glaring at him.
"I understand that you have resolved yourself to this upcoming fight for your leaders while also trying to find some long term achievement for Galo. And there is one method of accomplishing that."
"There is!?"
His voice echoed through the dining hall.
It was abandoned at this hour, so even with a floor of hardened dirt blocks, the sound reverberated strongly.
But Koskero did not care. He scooted his butt a bit to lean forward while sitting cross-legged.
"...What is it?" he asked.
It no longer mattered what he looked like or what people thought of him. With how he was feeling now, there was no point in even considering the inviolable rule of keeping a straight face while negotiating.
He simply had to ask and snatch away the information he needed.
So he listened.
"You said you are skilled warriors, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then there is only one problem left for you." Mochichiyo pointed at him. "You all are in charge of the attack against Miden."
.
Koskero did not understand what he had just been told.
...Huh?
He knew that they were in charge of the attack. Anyone from their group would.
It was going to be a battle between Miden and Galopoula.
During the attack, Miden would be playing the role of defenders in an attempt to protect themselves, an important thing, but they would need to contend with Galopoula's attack against them. It would not be a full siege, but it would amount to just as much of a fight as one since their goal was within the building that they would be attacking. It was led by their captain - Gatlin.
Miden knew the land better and was more skilled with a home advantage and small-scale battles, so they would have the advantage and understand what to protect until the attack was complete.
The amount of people on their side would also amount to many more than what their group had as living people. trion soldiers were more tools than the people themselves were. However...
…Our victory can easily be overturned with interpretations.
But Mochichiyo was saying to do that.
Who was she saying should do that?
"...Us?"
"Right, of course. ...If you were serious about your skill, then you should be able to lead a small force more into this battle, right?"
Koskero gasped.
...Hold on.
He had started this from a fairly unreasonable position, but it had just taken a very unexpected turn. It was true he had held a biased view that only a stronger nation could help them reach their victory. He could not deny that he had convinced himself that small groups like theirs could act as negotiators, but could not move an entire nation.
But, he thought.
Mochichiyo was suggesting that they stand on the main stage of history.
This would mean they were not just ones to be protected.
She was telling them to act as individuals who remained in this world. Did that viewpoint come from her position in a large nation?
It did not matter. There was something else he wanted to know now.
"If we did do that, what would happen?"
"I would have an easier time going at it against Miden. …That would create two battlefields: yours and mine. And that would split Miden's forces."
In other words, they could divide the enemy forces. He thought about what that meant.
"...So one of us would have a main role that would be to keep the enemy busy?"
"That's right."
Koskero saw Mochichiyo nod, but then...
"Could you wait for a moment please?"
He heard Wen Sō voice behind him.
…Wen?
His body tensed on reflex.
Wen Sō was a calm person. She was always looking at the best solution she could find. So if she was interrupting...
...Is there something bad about this?
"I would like to confirm one thing about what you said earlier, Mochichiyo."
Specifically...
"You said that there is a problem, didn't you?"
"Right. There's no point in hiding it, so I was just about to bring it up."
There was a problem.
Mochichiyo did indeed go on to explain what she had alluded to.
"Another nation will be giving me their force known as Mourí. They will be watching me like a hawk, so it's like I will be monitored. Oh, and a 'hawk' as a Miden animal, to let you know. But I feel like I have already fought and lost to Miden when those two men took out all of our Demons long ago. My core is even made up of ones lost in that event. I have a scratchy memory of that day."
"And we have yet to fight them at all and have never been near these Mourí."
...So that's it.
Koskero gave a sigh of understanding deep in his gut.
"Our battlefields don't fit together well and you don't think you can beat Miden."
.
Wen Sō understood the problem Mochichiyo carried.
...It is true battling Miden would be difficult even if she is given a new force here.
A few trion soldiers was not enough for an opponent like that.
Now that Miden has already pushed back Aftokrator and had beaten their specially made trion soldiers, how many nations even could say they had a chance of standing up to them?
But there was a reason Mochichiyo was stating this.
"Mochichiyo, you want to defeat Miden, don't you?"
"—"
Mochichiyo gave her a silent look.
Then her mouth twisted in what was probably supposed to be a smile.
"Ha ha."
She vocalized a laugh, but it was no more than a series of sounds. She also placed a hand on her forehead.
"Of course I do. Pago went to so much effort and we got utterly crushed in the end. …Even though we were on our home ground and they were an even smaller group back then."
"Then are you saying you want to defeat Miden without relying on the Mourí forces you will soon be given?"
But there was indeed a problem here. Koskero spoke while looking back at her.
"Wen, what do you think will happen if we try to fight with those Mourí trion soldiers?"
"If they are like Mochichiyo, and possess a core that lets them have a will of their own, we would be looking at a completely different factor to the fight. With the Dogs and Idras we're getting from Rhodochroun we can control them to an extent. Yomi can work outside of the ship with those and they are not in the way for people like me."
"If these Mourí trion soldiers have too much freedom, won't it just make for nice targets?"
"Not necessarily. There are certain cases when they could just make us the targets. For example…"
Wen Sō prepared to give an example, but Mochichiyo took the words out of her mouth. And her tone made it obvious this was intentional.
"If they think they're being used by people not from their nations, they can easily switch sides without worrying about betraying their home. So long as their cores are intact."
"Well, we can't be betrayed like that, can we?" said Koskero.
But they were on the right track.
They needed a force that Miden would not expect.
But also one that would remain on their side.
...Does such a force exist?
"…Wen."
Koskero raised his right hand in front of her.
"Let me see a list of everything we have."
"Do you have an idea, Koskero?"
"Nope," he said with his back turned. "But our Triggers are rather flexible with the way they can be used. These Mourí forces may be difficult for people like Afto, but we know how to adapt to things like this."
So...
"Let me see the list. ...And, Mochichiyo?"
"What is it, Koskero?"
"Well," he replied. "We will protect you."
.
Koskero felt a heat within him.
...This isn't like me.
He wanted to say he wasn't this kind of person. But...
...Am I?
"Sorry, but I'll be going over everything more than once. I can just focus better when reading over something multiple times, so feel free to take off my head if I go to activate my Tigger's abilities."
Once he said that, several pieces of information appeared in front of him.
They were lists of what they had. Wen Sō had prepared them and they provided what they knew of Miden.
…We have to find a way to fight alongside the Mourí force.
Looking at the information was enough for him to picture how they could fight in the back of his mind. He had helped in the planning after all. And that told him something.
...There isn't one.
The repeated reading allowed him to calmly reach that conclusion.
Attacking from a single point was their plan, so it would be possible to use even more force on that point or divert even more attention away from them. But once they were found out, they would likely be forgotten about by Mourí.
And it was devastating that they could not avoid Miden's counter attacks altogether.
They had seen what Miden could do via the trion soldiers they had sent ahead of time.
They would be able to pinpoint the weak points of their trion soldiers easily enough, so using even more was rather pointless. So...
"—"
Was not using the Mourí force the only option?
No, that was not an option either.
Mochichiyo and Galopoula's reputation would plummet if they did that. In the worst case, Pagoménos would view them as a nation not to be trusted and Mourí would try to attack them.
...In that case...
The safest thing to do was to allow them to advance alongside their Galopoula group. Right to the front lines.
However...
"Mochichiyo."
"What is it?"
"...Can you guarantee that Mourí will honestly assist us?"
"I honestly doubt they will. They seem to be working on their own views…but as I said before, they are only using me as bait. At the very least, they would not want their forces or mine on the battlefield."
"I see," said Wen Sō behind him.
...We're in such a difficult position here.
They could not borrow only a few of them for the battle.
Then what were they to do?
When viewed through the information, the attack felt so far away.
But even when viewed from a time gap, he could not find the right solution.
...C'mon now. Pull yourself together.
If he could not find a good solution here, they would lose a strong force.
He had to find it. If he did that, they would gain a strong force.
They would be able to say they made something happen themselves and without Aftokrator commanding them.
In their group, everyone had to be preparing for the attack and beyond.
They were all facing that from within the ship. They were moving toward the history they would create and a future in which they survived.
We have to help them from here.
The whole group of them had to complete this attack that had been demanded of Aftokrator.
If they could do that, it would greatly reduce the burden on everyone else. So...
"I will find it."
And...
"Mochichiyo. ...We will protect you and make sure you return to Pagoménos"
After all...
"You need to return to those living people and tell them how well this group from Galopoula did."
And to do that, he needed...
"A way to ensure Mourí's cooperation."
Just as he said that, Koskero realized he was in the process of activating his Trigger.
...Whoops.
He quickly pulled his hand away from his hip. Then he realized he was too far to have reached anything.
"I have been keeping your perception of left and right different to make sure you didn't start using Nikokyra," said Wen Sō.
"Oh, so my carelessness didn't nearly get me killed."
He smiled bitterly and his careless right hand knocked over the glass sitting on his tray.
The water spilled out, circled around the bottom of the container, and spread out across the tray.
Now I've done it, he thought. But then...
"...Ah."
He realized something.
Here was a way that Miden could be viewed as an enemy for all of them without anyone betraying each other.
He had just seen it right in front of him.
.
Mochichiyo saw movement.
Koskero suddenly stood up and moved to the dining hall's counter.
He was fast. It only took an instant. But by the time she turned to follow his movement, he was already showing her something: a picture.
It displayed the group of trion soldiers from Pagoménos, which were all people in appearance.
It was initially a way to keep track of every trion soldier, but that had quickly changed. To the ones in the picture, it was a way to remember that they had been made with a purpose in their cores.
She saw herself there.
But...
"You Autonomous trion soldiers can feel this, can't you?"
What was "this"?
There was a faint light near Koskero's mouth. It was the light from a core yet to be placed in anything.
That green light illuminated a smile on his face.
"Mochichiyo, I've found it. This is how we will make sure they remain on our side."
He held up the core high.
He held it high enough that they could all see it without any issue and where it could be properly viewed. The core was no bigger than a rubber ball, but it shone brightly in the dim room.
But it was different from others.
"...A core?"
"Not just any core. …A Pago core."
It was...
"The cores from each nation have something to them. Even more so when they are for Autonomous trion soldiers. I learned that from the Wanderers."
.
Mochichiyo looked up when she heard Koskero's words.
...Can we use that?
This was a method of fighting Miden with a strong force.
It was a means of getting strong force on their side and forcing an even tougher battle onto Miden.
"You want to use the pride we Autonomous trion soldiers have in us to get them on our side?"
"I'm glad you understand," said Koskero. "The stronger the nation with Auto trion soldiers, the more pride that will come from them for having been made in that nation."
But…
"Those guys - the Wanderers - they have the upper hand in every aspect when it comes to Auto trion soldiers. They have that monster called the Pyrínas System. And if they have become allies of Miden, that ends that connection can be used to form one of our own. Mourí relies on Auto trion soldiers a lot, from this information, so this should be enough."
"And if it isn't enough? I guess I can contact one of the living people of Mourí then."
"That would be nice if you could do that."
"We can handle that on our own. ...And you'll be helping too, won't you?"
"Ha ha," laughed Koskero. "You want to do your own thing and get back at them for what they did to you before, didn't you? This isn't an all out invasion, but you can think of it as a reverse situation, right? You can go as long as you want and we'll protect you as best we can. …How about that?"
He held up the core for the unused trion soldier and tossed it to her.
She caught it and spun it around with her finger. And…
"I would be in trouble if I personally went out there, so this core will be 'me'. I will transfer some of myself to this new core and it will become 'Mochichiyo' for the battle."
Although…
"I hear my name came from an actual person in Miden's history. The 'Mochi' is from 'Mochizuki' and the 'Chiyo' is from 'Chiyome'. So then, if this will be 'me' for the battle, it's name will be 'Mochizuki Chiyome'."
But this meant a lot.
"Now we have a way of striking back against Miden. ...Isn't that right, Galo? That will be enough to give you some sway with Mourí too, at the least. Let's keep this quiet. Of course, Pago is sure to know all about it since we're discussing it here."
Mochichiyo stood up, took a breath, and realized the corners of her mouth were rising.
There was a tone of delight in the words that escaped her mouth.
"I'm finally prepared for this losing battle."
Ha ha.
"You can say you're ready a thousand times, but it's not so easy to actually feel it like this."
A long day was ending for a few different forces.
Night began to take over a certain city as people moved about instead of going to their homes.
The Galopoula force continued their preparation through the time and the night became their signal for their attack.
Pagoménos and Mourí brought out their forces and exchanged messages with Galopoula's attack group.
The fast approaching night would be one of an event.
Each of those battle formations took a short rest to prepare for the battle soon to come.