On the way to the airship, I continued watching the Kronos livestream.
After introducing the general contents and significance of the Eden Treaty, they apparently inserted footage of the emergency press conference held by the General Student Council yesterday, probably to fill airtime.
Rin, acting as spokesperson, responded to the relentless barrage of sharp questions from the student reporters with practiced indifference.
Was the General Student Council President still missing? No comment.
How did they view the increasingly severe public criticism directed at the General Student Council? No comment.
How did they plan to respond to the growing middle-class movements occurring throughout the autonomous districts? Was the closure order of SRT Special Academy related to the disturbances at the Sanctum Tower? What was their stance regarding the Eden Treaty? No intervention.
However, during the press conference, Momoka sat there eating mentaiko-flavored potato chips as if nobody else existed, casually firing off sharp remarks that were so blunt they were unintentionally hilarious. She dismantled the official narrative at every opportunity, leaving Ayumu both anxious and helpless beside her.
Even if one explained it away with reasons like "not interested," to me it simply reflected how overwhelmed the General Student Council had become.
Yet among everything shown in that press conference segment, what drew my attention most was Kaya.
The very person who had directed the FOX Squad's attack on the Sanctum Tower stood right beside the injured Defense Office Director, who had been wounded during the incident. Yet from beginning to end, Kaya maintained impeccable posture and a gentle smile.
Did she truly feel no guilt whatsoever for what she had done?
Was the "superman" she wished to become, someone like the General Student Council President, really such a cold and bloodless existence?
"[Merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.]"
Yes.
Surely, only someone like that, as Kaya had described, could truly be called a superman.
"Sensei."
At that moment, Iroha spoke to me.
"That's the airship we'll be taking today."
Hearing that, I looked ahead.
A massive airship bearing Gehenna's school emblem came into view, imposing and magnificent.
But after the initial amazement faded, another thought surfaced in my mind.
This thing must have cost a fortune.
"Hahaha∼ Buying something this huge just to one-up the Prefect Team. That's so like Makoto-senpai∼"
Chiaki excitedly snapped several photos.
It really was very Makoto.
On the other side of the airfield, a group of student reporters armed with cameras and microphones stood outside the security perimeter, blocked by members of the Pandemonium Society.
As we appeared, Shinon's commentary on the livestream changed accordingly.
"Next, let's take a look at the major figures participating in the Eden Treaty. Oh wow, speak of the devil! It seems Gehenna's Pandemonium Society will be arriving aboard a brand-new airship!"
I glanced down at my phone.
The broadcast had already switched to a live view of us preparing to board.
After a moment's thought, I smiled and waved toward the reporters while listening to the broadcast.
"And that person is Gehenna Academy's Chairwoman, the Student Council President, Hanuma Makoto! As expected of someone in such a high position, she radiates extraordinary leadership charisma at first glance! Probably! That must be the dignity of Gehenna's student council president!"
Leadership charisma?
Presidential dignity?
Makoto?
The praised Student Council President of Gehenna raised the corners of her lips and chuckled in satisfaction.
"Heh heh..."
"And the adult beside them is none other than Schale's Sensei, who is rumored to have close ties with Trinity's Tea Party!"
Shinon's voice grew even more excited.
"Could it be that Schale's Sensei could no longer endure the battlefield that is the Tea Party and has defected to the embrace of the Pandemonium Society?"
...Yeah.
A journalism major, all right.
Silently withdrawing my hand, I climbed the boarding stairs.
I felt that I would never smile at these shameless paparazzi again.
Unless one of them willingly offered herself as the subject of my future romantic scandals. In that case, I might reluctantly play along.
After entering the gondola, I discovered that while the airship looked enormous from the outside, most of its size came from the gas envelope above.
Once the cockpit and engines were excluded, the remaining passenger space in the lower cabin was surprisingly small.
Especially since many boxes of unknown purpose were stacked along the sides. Perhaps they contained daily necessities.
At that moment, the livestream also seemed to be approaching its conclusion.
"On the other side, Kirifuji Nagisa, host of Trinity General School's Tea Party, appears to have arrived at the cathedral as well! The key figures from both academies are gradually gathering!"
After a brief pause, Shinon continued.
"Gehenna's Prefect Team Chair is also expected to arrive shortly, and the atmosphere is becoming more heated by the minute! Everyone, please stay tuned for further developments!"
With that, the broadcast entered a commercial break.
I put down my phone, rubbed my face, and let out a long breath to ease my nervousness.
According to the schedule, the airship would reach Trinity's ancient cathedral in about half an hour.
Once the Chairwoman of the Pandemonium Society and the host of the Tea Party met, the official treaty-signing ceremony would begin immediately.
Backed by both the missing General Student Council President and two academies with long and storied histories, the Eden Treaty would come under the supervision of Kivotos's ancient and sacred laws, becoming a contract that could not easily be defied.
When that happened, Kivotos would enter a new chapter...
Rapid footsteps interrupted my thoughts.
The sight that followed brought a gentle smile to my face.
Apparently riding an airship for the first time as well, Ibuki was curiously exploring every corner of the cabin before takeoff, including the pile of boxes whose purpose nobody seemed to know.
Looking around at the other members of the Pandemonium Society, they all wore similarly doting expressions.
It felt like if I ever married them and had children in the future, this was probably how they'd treat the kids.
In that case, to make sure the children's upbringing didn't go off track, perhaps I'd have to play the stricter parent.
With that thought, I cleared my throat and spoke seriously.
"Ibuki, don't run around so fast. You might get hurt."
"Okaaay∼ Ibuki understands∼"
After obediently agreeing, Ibuki instinctively glanced at a nearby box and curiously lifted the cloth covering it.
"Hey, hey, Makoto-senpai, what are these? It says 'Handle With Care' and 'Flammable Materials'..."
So they really are Kivotos daily necessities...
Wait.
Realization struck me.
Frowning, I turned toward Makoto.
"Makoto, why are you bringing flammable and explosive materials onto an airship that's heading to a treaty-signing ceremony? And why are there so many of them?"
The Chairwoman of the Pandemonium Society looked completely baffled.
"Huh?"
"...Wait, you didn't know?"
The unease in my heart grew heavier.
"Wasn't this airship purchased under your orders?"
"...At this point, there's no point hiding it anymore."
Makoto frowned deeply.
What she said next sent a chill through my entire body.
"This airship was a gift from Arius."