Regarding the Eden Treaty, the major academies of Kivotos had all adopted the same non-intervention policy as the General Student Council for various reasons.
Even so, the leadership of the larger academies, possessing considerable influence and strength, were generally aware of the importance of the event. No matter how busy they were, they still paid at least some attention to it.
Naturally, this included Millennium Science School, which was often mentioned alongside the two protagonists of the Eden Treaty and collectively referred to as one of the "Big Three Schools."
Inside the Seminar office, a blue-haired girl sat hunched over her computer, her brows tightly furrowed. Her left hand flew across a calculator while her right alternated between the keyboard and mouse. She looked utterly overwhelmed.
After wallowing for only a single afternoon, the merciless accountant had accepted the reality that all the financial records she had painstakingly compiled had been destroyed. She had also firmly rejected Rio's suggestion that she take time off.
"Even if it was a complete accident, failing to account for this kind of unexpected incident is still a failure on my part as an accountant. Besides, at a critical moment like this, how could I possibly dump all the recovery work on everyone else?"
Thus, after the incident, Yuuka not only refused to take leave but actively volunteered for overtime. She had even been sleeping on a makeshift bed in the office.
Having finally completed one round of work, she stretched, flexed her sore fingers, and prepared to move on to the next task.
At that moment, Noa, seated at the neighboring desk, suddenly spoke up.
"Yuuka-chan, Sensei appeared in the Eden Treaty livestream just now."
"Huh?"
Yuuka froze.
"Wait, today's already the day they're signing the Eden Treaty?"
Quickly checking the calendar, she looked somewhat embarrassed.
"For the past few days, all I've been seeing from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep are numbers and calculations... Sigh, what terrible luck. Thank goodness the President is helping out. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do."
Noa's smile deepened.
"Hehe. That's true. It's all thanks to President Rio, isn't it?"
Hearing herself mentioned, the black-haired girl sitting in the same office maintained her usual indifferent expression.
However, her hands paused slightly before she vaguely replied with an "Mm," then resumed operating her phone.
Since that was simply how she normally behaved, none of her juniors found it suspicious.
"Honestly..."
Yuuka lightly patted her cheeks and muttered:
"I was planning to message Sensei and check if he was safe... He's probably busy right now, though..."
"Probably."
Noa smiled.
"By the way, someone uploaded a clipped video of Sensei's appearance online. It's only about ten seconds long."
She continued:
"Yuuka-chan, if you're worried about Sensei, would you like to watch it? I'll send you the link."
Yuuka's face immediately reddened.
"I-I'm not worried..."
Even so, her body was more honest than her words.
She immediately opened the link Noa sent.
As she watched the handsome figure on the screen, a faint smile naturally appeared on her slightly exhausted face.
Seeing this, the white-haired girl smiled before turning to the side and politely asking:
"President Rio, what about you?"
"...No need."
Rio instinctively glanced at her computer monitor, which was currently paused on a frame showing a massive airship at a landing platform.
Silently, she switched to another window.
Then the Seminar President typed a message into her phone:
[Mikamo Neru, it's time to get to work.]
Inside a classroom, an orange-haired maid sitting in the back row raised an eyebrow after reading the message.
She grabbed her school bag and swaggered straight out through the rear door.
A short while later, the four members of C&C gathered inside a luxury sedan provided by Seminar.
As usual, Akane explained the mission while Karin handled the driving.
"...That's the situation in broad terms. Because time is short and information is limited, once we arrive at the destination, please act according to the circumstances. President Rio said..."
The gray-haired girl adjusted her glasses.
"This is a good opportunity to repay a favor... Asuna-senpai, you've been looking down at your phone this entire time. Forgive my rudeness, but have you been listening?"
Asuna looked up, smiling brightly.
"Ah, sorry! I wasn't listening because Master was playing a game with me!"
"Hm? A game?"
"Yep!"
The blonde, blue-eyed maid nodded vigorously.
"It's a game where I guess numbers and colors using my intuition!"
Aboard the airship flying through the sky.
"Say, Sensei."
The silver-haired girl, whom I had ordered not to do anything, hesitantly asked:
"Isn't this a little too risky?"
I glanced at her while taking notes on my phone regarding the bombs the Pandemonium Society members had brought out.
"Do we have any other options right now?"
Fortunately, Arius had always been desperately short on resources.
The remote-controlled bombs they used were older models that, at least in theory, could be dealt with the same way they were in movies: by cutting wires.
With Asuna's absurd luck, she should be able to pick all the right ones...
Probably.
Of course, even if we were going to attempt bomb disposal, it would only be after news arrived that the cathedral had been attacked and we were forced into a final gamble, or under circumstances where failure would have relatively limited consequences.
Since Makoto had failed to inspect the airship beforehand, she naturally hadn't brought anything like parachutes aboard.
Our only option was to lower our altitude somewhat and find a suitable location from which to abandon the airship.
Fortunately, according to the planned route, we would pass over a lake within Trinity territory during the latter half of the journey.
With the water cushioning the impact, the Pandemonium Society students would suffer lighter injuries, and the Shittim Chest's power consumption would also be greatly reduced.
After taking a closer look, I was surprised to discover that it was the very same lake that had supplied water to the annex where we stayed during the Make-Up Work Club's training camp.
"...Heh heh."
Makoto suddenly laughed.
"What a bold decision. As expected of someone chosen by the great Makoto herself!"
...And whose fault do you think all this is?
"However, you've misunderstood."
Makoto abruptly changed the subject, her expression becoming serious.
"What I meant is that since this mistake was mine, I should take responsibility for it. Sensei, when the time comes, please leave the wire-cutting to me."
I looked at her in surprise but replied calmly:
"It's enough that you feel that way. But as the Chairwoman of the Pandemonium Society, you can't afford to fall at a time like this."
Then Iroha spoke.
"In that case, let me do it. Sensei, you're even more important than Makoto-senpai right now. No matter how you look at it, this is far too dang..."
"That's enough. I've already made my decision. Don't worry."
My hand moved across the items on my body in sequence.
The bronze serpent cross hanging around my neck.
The card tucked inside the pocket over my heart.
And the briefcase at my side containing the tablet.
"I will never gamble with my own life."