The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign – Chapter 85

“Chairwoman, I’ve told you several times, it’s not like that. What power do I have to stage a show of force?”

“Uh, Hikari-chan…”

“Hold on, Senpai. Let me settle this. What’s that about the black market?”

I finally managed to take the phone. It seems the Prefect Team harbors significant doubts about the experiment conducted by the border checkpoint and the Ordnance Bureau. Far from being cunning, the chief’s voice carried the same vigor as when we first met.

Our alma mater’s counterintelligence network must be somewhat decent. Perhaps because it was so far from their borders, Gehenna’s Prefect Team intelligence unit seems to have failed to gather specific details about the experiment.

Is there anything more terrifying than an experiment with unknown power and purpose? That’s why she’s calling to question me.

“As the chief of Gehenna’s Prefect Team, I express regret to Trinity General Academy’s border checkpoint regarding the incident in Abydos’s autonomous district. However, I believe vague explanations aren’t worth commenting on.”

What you caused is deeply bothersome. If you’re not going to explain properly, just shut up.

“There was no collateral damage to call it an incident. It’s not even worth exchanging honest opinions over.”

Nothing happened. It’s not even worth arguing about.

“I don’t think an experiment of that scale can be dismissed as trivial. The Prefect Team has all options on the table.”

Don’t mess around! If you keep being stubborn, we might resort to hardline measures.

“This is a matter of our sovereignty.”

That’s nonsense!

Ahh—the scent of beautiful diplomatic rhetoric.

In the world of academy relations, where words and meanings diverge, diplomatic friction is disguised as calm conversation. Nagato-senpai, fidgeting beside me, probably can’t even imagine the level of debate I’m having with the Prefect Team chief.

Judging by how we’ve been talking for dozens of minutes, the chief must be quite startled. It’s understandable—the desert’s ground was torn apart—but to me, it’s not that shocking.

“In all honesty, it was just a weapons test, Chairwoman. Trinity General Academy’s border checkpoint hopes our good relationship with Gehenna Academy isn’t damaged. Our alma mater remains committed to its role as a responsible federal state.”

Don’t say we’re stirring trouble. We’re developing something, but it’s not aimed at you.

“I think we need to consider the gravity of the situation. The Prefect Team is fulfilling its duty to Gehenna Academy’s security, and our strategy remains unchanged. Trinity should take note.”

You haven’t guaranteed anything. We won’t trust you either. Retaliation for provocative actions in these tense times is possible, and you must clearly convey Gehenna’s intentions to the Tea Party.

The conversation continued. Considering the diplomatic rhetoric, it doesn’t seem like she’s calling from the Prefect Team’s office.

“But, Chief, is the Pandemonium Society Council Chamber comfortable?”

“…Huh.”

Oh my—she’s really there. Did that damn student council president summon her?

“Trinity General Academy guarantees the emergency evacuation rights of executives in any situation. I’m not well-versed in Gehenna’s laws and have no intention of violating them, but it’s hard to believe the general student council’s regulations don’t cover this.”

“I get what you mean. Let’s meet later.”

It sounded like the chief was speaking to someone else. After a brief sound of shuffling shoes, I heard her voice again a few minutes later.

“Alright, I’m in a private place now. I apologize for earlier. Makoto tried to record our conversation to make an example of Trinity.”

“Even Mika-sama wouldn’t do that… That guy’s something else. You must have it rough.”

“Thanks. Anyway… can we speak frankly now, Hikari?”

Honestly, your earlier words already felt sincere. It wasn’t pretense—it was a diplomatic pressure rooted in facts, delivered from the official position of Gehenna’s Prefect Team chief.

But let’s keep quiet. Lately, I’ve realized something. In this whole Trinity General Academy and Kivotos atmosphere, it feels like I’m being framed—and Yamatsu Hikari herself has a fair share in it.

I’m a smart student now. Converting a club into a border artillery unit right after taking office—how could there not be suspicion?

Of course! Even after giving a detailed explanation, some students still look at me with skeptical eyes—I can’t understand it!

If I say we won’t fire at you, take it and understand. If you get attacked, it’s your fault for getting on our nerves. Why are you all so slow? You’re making me feel wronged.

“I heard you, Chairwoman. The Prefect Team is moving. From what you’re saying, it doesn’t sound like hostile action.”

“You’re right. At least Ako and I have no intention of retaliating against you. Makoto seems to have something in mind… but I don’t really want to listen to her. If she makes excessive demands, we’ll cut it off at some point, so don’t worry.”

“I appreciate that. I assure you, Trinity General Academy’s current foreign policy remains unchanged.”

It’s unavoidable. The host wants to maintain the status quo.

If I were to name two things the head of Trinity General Academy’s Tea Party desires, they’d be: first, the complete signing of the Eden Treaty; second, maintaining peace through understanding. With the ceremony so close, why stir up trouble?

Nagisa-sama’s opinion is the border checkpoint’s opinion. Have I ever overstepped without her permission? Her suspicion was about the irregularity of budget use, not illegal supplementary funding.

“I’d like to remind you that Trinity and Gehenna are approaching a treaty. We’re taking it very seriously.”

“Good to hear. We feel the same… though I don’t know what Makoto’s thinking. Oh, I have to go. Ako’s calling me.”

“Call me tonight if you have time. Have a peaceful afternoon.”

Talking in a bathroom as an excuse has its limits. Our ‘wicked’ Gehenna student council president can’t distinguish between strategy and nonsense, so she probably won’t notice, but just in case. Maybe she’ll become human with time.

Good. I confirmed the Prefect Team’s suspicions were closer to a misunderstanding, so I can ignore the dozens of explanation requests from Pandemonium Society that’ll pour in over the next few days. If the real powerholder doesn’t care, why should I?

“Ugh… Hikari-chaaan, are you done with the call…?”

“Yeah, it was a bit long today… Whoa, Senpai, you’re still holding your hand up?!”

“You told me to keep it up… I can’t feel my arm…”

“No, you could’ve lowered it after a bit… Wait, your arm’s looking a little blue…”

Nagato-senpai, holding her arm up for twenty minutes, must’ve lost her mind. Her only hope—liquor or not—her arm’s about to go necrotic.

This is the reality of Trinity General Academy’s intelligence chief, who works overnight until the sun shines if an incident occurs at the Tea Party. Her stamina’s naturally weak, fine, but her arm’s endurance… good lord.

Judging herself objectively, Yamatsu Hikari decided she lacked the skills to fix her nearly collapsing senior’s arm. Isn’t there a medical student for that? Let’s act wisely.

“—The most painful antibiotic is Meropenem… Ow!”

“Hikari-san! I told you I’d shove an anesthetic in your neck if you made another medical student joke! Where do you even learn these?” Serina-san appeared out of nowhere scolding me.

“Ouch… There’s a way to learn everything. Besides, there’s no better way to summon Serina-san. I never know where you are.”

“From now on, use the chant ‘Always and Everywhere’! I’ll let it slide this time, but next time… Oh my, Nagato-san’s arm doesn’t look good. Chief, what happened to get you in this state?”

“Because of Hikari-chan, I held my arm up for 30 minutes… Gulp.”

“Uh.”

“Oh.”

In the end, Senpai passed out from alcohol withdrawal… or rather, her red face shows a proper hangover.

Why soak yourself in alcohol from the morning? It’s not even decent—over 40% proof vodka, and a glass or two makes your head spin? Our mischievous Senpai’s about to nap in a daze.

I gently laid the staggering Senpai on the sofa, placing a glass of cold water nearby in case she wakes up. Most injuries heal with time. A few hours should help.

As I caught my breath, a pink-haired girl approached. Serina-san looked quite sullen. What did I do?

“Hikari-san, I just heard you made her hold her arm up. What do you think about that?”

“I’m not the type to harass students for no reason, so don’t worry. It wouldn’t have happened if Senpai hadn’t been drinking.”

“Drinking? I hadn’t heard that…”

“Well, our Senpai was drinking in broad daylight and almost got in big trouble. It’s a Tea Party rule violation.”

“…This isn’t about blaming you, Hikari-san. I’ll have to scold Nagato-san when she wakes up.”

“Good luck with that. Since Senpai’s sleeping, I’ll head back. Got a lot to do.”

“You work hard too, Hikari-san!”

Returning her ambiguous farewell, I left the intelligence office mid-tea time. With that errand done, I need to return to Nagisa-sama for the Eden meeting she mentioned.

I climbed the grand staircase to the Tea Party room. Adjusting the uniform of a trembling guard overcome with emotion, I returned to my less-than-charming Tea Party room. Nagisa-sama was sipping tea.

“Ah, fine Fortnum & Mason tea. Never disappoints.”

“You’ve been having a good time.”

“I was waiting for you, Hikari-san. It took quite a while.”

“Nothing major. I was just on a call with the Prefect Team chief.”

“You worked hard… Wait, with Chief Hina?!”

The host, uncharacteristically surprised.

Not spilling a single drop from her teacup—that’s a level of respect I can admire.