Could forcibly transmitting a PDF file containing a massive amount of data through a Millennium-style authority overload and burn out the circuit board responsible for receiving signals in a remote-controlled bomb, thereby effectively disarming it?
With my profound expertise in military engineering and electronics, which could only be described as knowing absolutely nothing, there was naturally no way I could arrive at an answer on my own in such a short time.
Fortunately, I also happened to know someone who could be considered a master when it came to explosives-related craftsmanship.
So, to verify whether my idea was feasible, I contacted the Engineering Department again.
After examining the photos I sent over, Utaha's conclusion was simple:
"It might be worth trying."
For the kinds of bombs commonly found in Kivotos, my idea would have been impossible to implement. However, the bombs used by Arius were not ordinary.
Apparently, in order to achieve the goal of remotely detonating bombs placed aboard a high-speed airship from several kilometers away with precision, Arius had put considerable effort into the signal reception system.
That said, it was only relative.
"I just checked. The circuit board used in this bomb's receiver seems to be a prototype model Kaiser Corporation released a long time ago."
Utaha explained in a way I could barely understand:
"The earliest versions would detonate as soon as they detected a 0 or a 1, so flooding them with data wouldn't do anything. Later models added a feature that caused self-detonation if the communication channel became congested. It normally wouldn't be an issue, but the design had flaws that were easy to fix, so production was quickly discontinued. Supposedly Kaiser Corporation originally planned to keep selling them anyway, but they were sanctioned by the missing General Student Council President. After that, the remaining stock was sold off as scrap metal..."
The moment I heard "Kaiser" and "cheap," I felt like I understood everything.
Since this was just an experiment anyway, trying a different approach wasn't a problem.
Once the airship reached the lake, I had the Pandemonium Society girls wait by the cabin door while I crouched beside one of the bombs and carefully activated Yuuka's authority.
Several seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
But after waiting patiently a little longer, I finally caught the faint smell of something burning.
It worked!
Thinking back to when we fought Kei, those seemingly useless authorities had proven useful back then too.
From the bottom of my heart, I couldn't help but marvel:
We Millennium students really know our way around electronics!
"Sensei," Iroha asked in confusion after seeing me merely touch one bomb before moving on to another instead of using scissors, "aren't you going to try disarming the bombs according to the plan?"
Suppressing the joy of discovering a new continent, I turned back and gave her a confident smile.
"No. I found a better method."
Compared to relying entirely on Asuna's luck, I still trusted the authorities I had gained after winning over the girls much more.
With that said, I began throwing PDFs at the bombs one after another, destroying their reception systems with data streams far beyond what they could handle.
What surprised me was that, while repeatedly using Millennium-type authorities, I made another discovery.
These authorities were not instantaneous. Previously, when downloading and viewing content, it usually took around ten seconds before a notification window would appear.
Now, having noticed something unusual, I deliberately took out my phone and tested it.
To my surprise, the time had noticeably shortened to under five seconds.
For the cause, I currently had three theories.
First, the number of similar authorities.
Second, the number of times they had been used.
As for the last possibility, the most ridiculous one, yet somehow the one that best matched my stereotypical impression of these cards...
If Shun's authority enhanced teaching ability, and these PDF files were all educational materials...
Then transmitting educational materials into electronic devices could also be considered a form of teaching, couldn't it?
At that moment, Makoto, who had been watching for quite a while, finally couldn't hold back her curiosity.
"Um, Sensei, what exactly are you doing right now?"
After some consideration, I gave a serious explanation.
"I'm attempting to teach them through the power of thought that, even if they were born into this world as bombs, they can still choose to love peace and treat others kindly."
The girls all froze for a moment before each displaying strange expressions.
Chiaki hesitantly said,
"I feel like even Satsuki-senpai never proposed a plan like that... Could it be that Sensei got so angry at Makoto-senpai that he lost his mind?"
"What do you mean, even me? The NK Super Plan has solid scientific foundations!"
After defending herself, Satsuki also joined in persuading me.
"Sensei, please calm down. Even though Makoto-chan did something stupid, things haven't reached the point where you need to give up on life!"
Iroha nodded.
"That's right. I suggest we ignore the bombs and jump from the airship if necessary. Or Sensei can prepare to evacuate with everyone else, and I'll handle the bomb disposal."
Makoto's expression became solemn.
"Keh keh keh... No, the consequences of the mistake made by the great Makoto must naturally be borne by me personally. This is the responsibility I should shoulder as chairwoman."
Since they were standing far away and the airship had a ventilation system, I figured it was normal that they couldn't smell anything.
I wanted to call Makoto over, but there was still some risk involved. Besides the smell, I had no evidence that the bombs had actually been damaged.
As I hesitated, Iroha walked over on her own.
Halfway there, her nose twitched.
Her expression shifted from confusion to surprise.
"A burning smell?"
"Obviously."
I maintained a serious face.
"After realizing that their very existence posed a threat to our safety, they resolutely chose to end their own lives, putting into practice the lesson I just taught them."
After making that harmless joke, which probably nobody believed anyway, and easing the tension a little, I prepared to continue and deal with the remaining bombs.
Then, from the corner of my eye, I suddenly noticed something.
On one of the bombs I had just finished processing, the one with several pink wires that I'd used Koyuki's authority on...
A tiny spark seemed to appear.
Only then did I realize a basic fact I had completely overlooked.
Short circuits usually generate a great deal of heat.
And if you're careless, they can start fires.
"Watch out!"
I shouted and activated [Return to the Wild], spinning around and throwing myself toward the red-haired girl closest to me.
I had just managed to tackle her to the floor.
The next moment, accompanied by a deafening roar, a scorching shockwave struck from behind.
Unfortunately, even though I had come so close, I still failed to prevent the explosion.
Thinking that, I felt a deep sense of regret.