The Sixth Calamity Countermeasures Room is a secret organization formed under the secret orders of the Sahelta Government. Neither its existence nor all its tactical operations can be made public. No matter who the opponent is, it is necessary to deal with them secretly beneath the surface. There were reasons why the existence of the Sixth Calamity must not be known to other nations.
If this were to be revealed to the world, it would go beyond the issue of responsibility for the United States bringing back a calamity. This is because Sahelta's second expedition to the Dark Continent was carried out without the approval of the V5 summit, a fact that must not be recorded in history.
Until now, the major nations of the five continents have made many voyages to the Dark Continent. Even before it was prohibited by treaty, its danger had been passed down through ancient history. Nevertheless, humanity, blinded by the potential returns, repeated the voyages while fully aware of the danger of bringing back risks.
That reckless behavior continued until they actually brought back a calamity and the danger was truly recognized. The V5 redefined the treaty content more strictly to put a stop to the voyages of major nations. The Permit Bureau took on the role of the watchdog to uphold that treaty. In such a situation, the Sahelta United States dared to carry out a second expedition.
Externally, it was under the pretext of investigating the unexplored territory beyond the human territorial waters. There were no plans to advance as far as the Dark Waters that lie even further beyond. While making it look that way, they seized the ticket to the Dark Continent by deceiving the V5 and bringing the Special Voyage Division, the watchdog, over to their side.
The Permit Bureau gained too much power. Originally, it was just one of the internal organizations of the United Nations, and its compulsory power only arose from the sovereignty of member states. It was virtually equivalent to having no compulsory power. That changed completely upon facing the threat of a calamity that could potentially destroy humanity. It grew into a major agency that oversees the investigation and research of calamities, and it even came to possess an independent military force in preparation for the event of a failure in their management.
There were parts of this that were unavoidable. A nation always has an aspect where it will inevitably disregard the sacrifice of others, and sometimes even its own sacrifice, for the sake of the body (citizens) that constitutes it. It is a beast of desire that wishes to obtain things even if it ignores the danger of the world's destruction for the sake of its own national interest. The history of bringing back the Five Calamities proves this.
Why did the Gatekeeper of the Dark Waters make them bring back calamities as admonishments so many times? It is only natural, as humanity was that foolish and did not learn. Some claim as if they plotted to destroy humanity, but that is completely wide of the mark. Rather, it can be said to be a conscientious response.
In order to suppress those powerful beasts called nations and put a collar on them to prevent voyages, a watchdog with power is necessary. It was impossible in the conventional United Nations where the opinions of large nations carry weight. As a result, the Permit Bureau gained power to become an organization independent from the control of the V5.
However, in the end, that Permit Bureau is nothing more than an organization composed of humans. Even if it was initially formed for the noble purpose of preventing the destruction of humanity, the bloated power gradually corrupts the interior. That is precisely why it could be said that Sahelta's second expedition was overlooked.
That much expectation was placed on Sahelta's expedition. They succeeded in developing a vessel capable of navigating the habitat waters of the Nutakonbu and established a route that constantly connects the Dark Continent and the human survival zone. By the Permit Bureau having a hand in that plan, they intended to take enormous profits from the side.
It was expected that the truth about this illegitimate expedition would eventually be revealed if the route were established. However, the dissatisfaction of each nation would be suppressed by that overwhelming achievement. If they incurred the displeasure of the Permit Bureau or Sahelta, they wouldn't be allowed to use this safe route. In that way, they were supposed to further strengthen their influence over the world.
However, that plot ended in failure. They were made to understand that an absolutely safe route does not exist in that sea. As accomplices in the treaty violation, Sahelta and the Permit Bureau could no longer make this fact public. The existence of the Sixth Calamity also needs to be kept in the darkness.
"So, basically, even if people from the Permit Bureau have infiltrated this ship, we're okay to assume they won't start any flashy firefights, right?"
This is the main arena, boasting the largest area even within the Sky Island. The stadium is spacious enough for an international soccer tournament to be held. Chel was more appalled than surprised, thinking it was hard to believe this was inside a ship.
Special Investigator of the Sixth Calamity Countermeasures Room, Chel Haas. Due to her neutral facial features and good physique, she appears to have an indistinguishable gender at first glance, but she is a woman. However, the clothes she is currently wearing have a design reminiscent of a knight that might appear in an RPG. In fact, this is a cosplay costume modeled after the protagonist of a popular blockbuster RPG, and because of that, she looks like a handsome knight with a youthful face.
"Well, normally thinking, that's the case, but something feels fishy. We haven't confirmed if the Permit Bureau really was behind Mr. Pomerni's disappearance, and would they do something as conspicuous as kidnapping a world-famous celebrity?"
The one who answered Chel's question was a man by her side. Likewise, Special Investigator Tokunosuke Amamiya. His outfit, which was distinct from Chel's in a different sense, was a unique traditional costume. This is said to be based on what people belonging to a knight class called Samurai in a country called Japaun used to wear. He wore an eyepatch made by tying a sword guard with a cord over his left eye. This was also a cosplay modeled after an RPG character.
"I mean, was there really a need to wear this?"
"It's the mission, so it can't be helped. Our faces might be known, so doesn't it have the meaning of a disguise?"
The venue was overflowing with fans in cosplay, and the two of them didn't stand out among them. This costume was one being rented out at a shop inside the ship.
"Just because of that, why these clothes?"
"You were the one who chose them, Chel-san. There were plenty of other candidates, weren't there? Like a maid outfit. Ow!? Stop poking me in silence!"
Chel poked Tokunosuke's side repeatedly with her cosplay item sword (made of plastic). Of course, she didn't forget to infuse it with aura.
"...Quinn didn't notice us."
Chel stopped her hand and let the words escape. With the start of the event imminent, a solemn atmosphere descended only around the two of them amidst the crowd starting to make a fuss.
Whether their first mission, the first contact with Six, was successful or not, Chel and the others still couldn't tell. However, they felt that it was at least not a failure. They had attempted to contact Six even while being prepared to be killed at worst.
As members of the Dark Continent Investigation Team's execution unit, Quantum, who accompanied the expedition, Chel and Toku met a girl named Quinn in that land. They adventured with the girl and promised to return to their home country together. However, that promise was not fulfilled, and the investigation team set sail, leaving the girl behind.
They don't think the judgment made by Commander Andarm was wrong. If he hadn't decided to set sail immediately at that time, the investigation team would have been wiped out. However, it was also a fact that they abandoned the girl.
Faced with the threat that attacked the ship, the investigation team was toyed with on the sea, unable to do anything. Taking advantage of a split-second opening, the ship succeeded in breaking away, but Chel and the others were certain that the opening was not born by chance. On the ship leaving the land and heading out to sea, they saw a flash of light tearing through the darkness of the night. There was no evidence, but they thought Quinn had saved them.
When the ship was attacked by an anomaly, the first one to jump out was Quinn. Chel called the radio she possessed. There was no response, but intense combat sounds could be heard from the radio. They know that Quinn fought for the investigation team until the end.
Quinn saved their lives many times. Instead of returning that favor, they betrayed her and survived. At that time, Chel, who had tried to head out to sea in a boat to pick up Quinn, was punched and knocked unconscious by Andarm. Andarm's judgment to stop her suicidal act was correct. But Chel still thinks to this day. If she could return to that moment again, she would surely try to take the same action.
What they lost in that expedition was far too great. So, when the Sixth Calamity Countermeasures Room was established and contact came from Andarm to Chel and Toku, the two were happy from the bottom of their hearts. They rolled around laughing as they watched the videos featuring the girl. And they rejoiced in her safety more than anyone else. They responded without hesitation to the mission of facing an existence with the potential to destroy the world.
They gained an opportunity to settle the regret of having left her behind. It's late, but this time they want to return the favor they received from their precious comrade-in-arms. If she resented them, they were prepared to make any kind of atonement. It wasn't because she was a calamity, but because they were prepared to face their own sins and stake their lives.
However, now that they were actually able to meet the girl, they could certainly feel it. The girl who came to this venue as an iTuber might not be Quinn. As Andarm feared, there is a possibility that Quinn and Six are different people. She didn't give any reaction toward Chel and the others. She had eyes like those directed at a complete stranger.
"Even so, what we do won't change. I'm sure that child is someone related to Quinn. If so, just like Quinn did for us, we have to protect her."
Just as Quinn once did for them, this time they will protect Quinn. That's why the two were in this place. There is a personal reason there that goes beyond the mission given by the Sixth Calamity Countermeasures Room, a reason they can never back down from.
"Hey, Toku. The current Quinn... no, Six is trying to live in this world. As a human, among humans. Otherwise, she wouldn't be doing something like being an iTuber. Is there any need for someone to intervene there? The 'protection' of Six that the countermeasures room talks about is, in the end..."
"Chel-san, no more than that."
Tokunosuke could understand what Chel wanted to say. But even so, he restrained her words. The government's policy of managing the threat called a calamity is undoubtedly justice. Neither Toku, Chel, nor Six, who is trying to live as a human, can live in society without being bound by anything.
"Ah, enough of that! Let's just focus on the mission for now!"
Chel slapped her own cheeks to brace herself again. Seeing that, Toku also relaxed his expression.
"That's right. Chel-san, until recently you didn't even know the first thing about iTube, right? Are you okay? Make sure you act like a fan so as not to be suspicious."
"Leave it to me, I've done my homework. Basically, I just have to say stuff like, 'Six-chan is so moé!!' right?"
"Fuooooo...! Could it be that you two are also comrades who love Six-chan!? Let's liven things up together! To think I'd be able to meet the real Six-chan in person, as I've seen in my dreams, I can't suppress the pounding of my heart... Haa! Haa! Haa! Haa!"
"What's with this old guy!?"
The two investigators were blending into the crowd with natural acting. Soon, the lights dimmed, and an announcement echoed throughout the vast venue.
[Thank you all very much for waiting! We will now begin the iTube Year-End Grand Offline Meeting!]
Cheers erupted. Fireworks being launched, brilliant illuminations, background music stirring up excitement, and under the spotlights, the eleven main protagonists appeared in the center of the stage.