4-15: The True Power Balance of the Two Worlds (3/3)

4-15: The True Power Balance of the Two Worlds (3/3)

Of course, were running simulations to prepare for the worst, and were also trying to find a solution. But strategic weapons are just too much of a mystery to us, and we really dont have much resources to spare since were spread plenty thin as is just dealing with the raybeasts.

The reason the situation was still like this despite having investigated Earth for 45 years prior was because at the time, the Garesto government feared the emergence of more extremists and the spread of the idea of WMDs, so they hid the matter. Even military authorities were kept in the dark.

It was only 8 years ago that the existence of the strategic-class weapons coincidentally became public knowledge.

Unfortunately, such efforts only served to give rise to another extremist faction.

Shooting down long-range missiles can only go so far, after all. Especially, if theyre loaded with some nasty stuff.

Were looking into strengthening the defensive walls, but there arent any photons to spare, and even if the people behind the walls do survive, if the environment past the walls is destroyed, then the damage will still be too much. We cant draw a trump card that we dont have, and just finding out about those basic information was already difficult.

Im sure they dont want to accidentally reveal their hand to an opponent they are technologically superior to.

And even if Garesto wants a better counter to Earths weapons in case those weapons are aimed at them, theyve yet to trust any nation enough to rely on them.

In the end, the only things that the army was able to lay their hands on were the most common stuff.

They could try sending spies, but the difference in culture and appearance was too much. It wasnt something that could easily be done.

And in the first place, the intelligence department of Garestos military was meant to deal with terrorists within Garesto.

They didnt know how to execute covert operations in Earth, and even Frire was clueless how the intelligence department that did know how to perform covert operations would move.

Both worlds took their time laying the groundwork, but in the end, it looks like both were sloppy in all sorts of weird places.

Because of that there are people who have misgivings with the government too. Unfortunately, no one can really speak out against them when they say that theyre doing it because we dont have enough resources.

Although the Garestonians were unhappy with how the government intentionally ignored the finer details, they couldnt really criticize them. That was one of the fundamental issues with Garesto.

Moreover, it would make the Earthlings nervous if Garesto were to try and prepare a thorough defense and countermeasure system.

As much as theyd like to prepare for the future, the times were sensitive.

As such, there was a need for a gray zone where no one knew what would happen.

So thats why that crimson thing came out Tell me, how much do you think Earth has seen through those things that you supposedly dont have?

The upper brass of the military probably know already. The commoners technology complex may have kept a lid on it at first, but its already been 8 years. Even if theyre not certain, they should have their suspicions by now.

For better or for worse, the people of each world had a sense of superiority and inferiority that they unconsciously held.

A feeling of superiority toward the Earthlings who lagged a few steps behind them.

A feeling of inferiority toward the Garestonians when they realized the gap in technology.

This prejudice helped put a lock on the thoughts of the masses.

But its already been 8 years since the academy was opened, and many people have gone in and out of it.

Try as they might to restrict it, there was no stopping the leak of information.

And anyone insightful enough in the matters of the military would surely be able to form a conjecture from those.

But fortunately or unfortunately, theres a dimensional wall separating the two worlds. And neither world possesses a weapon that can surmount it. Whats more is that Earth is a world inhabited by many nations with differing thoughts. It cant stand united. On the other hand, Garesto doesnt have the resources to spare material or human to prepare an invasion. The dimension gate thats necessary in order to travel between worlds is also being managed and defended by us, so Id like to think that we wont start shooting at each other, but

Despite her optimism, her expression was grim.

If a war were to break out, the dimension gate would be needed in order to dispatch a platoon.

Because of that that the area around the gate was being watched.

Any suspicious movements would be immediately detected, and in the worst case scenario, an invasion could be stopped by simply destroying the whole place.

Garesto had the technology to travel across dimensions, but even then, they could only send people one at a time.

But if so, then the reason why they started the cultural exchange in the first place becomes an issue.

Garesto reached out because they lacked resources. They cant stop until that issue is solved.

Earth probably also doesnt have any intentions of cutting contact since theyd lose the opportunity to gain advanced technology.

Earth wanted Garestos technology, while Garesto wanted Earths resources.

The two worlds agreed, but the people didnt, and now the animosity of the people against the otherworld was senselessly spurring on the two worlds to work harder.

To the people who wish to split the two worlds apart, just bringing about that situation was considered a victory.

Both Frire and Shinichi understood that, so they sighed.

Sorry to say this, but It looks like you came back during the most troublesome period of this age.

Dont say that. If Id ended up like Urashima Taro, I would have given up too.

She didnt know what the name Urashima Taro meant, but from the context, she figured that Shinichi was saying that he would have given up too if he came back after everything had ended.

Hmm Maybe thats why my time shifted by 8 years. Nah, theres no way its related

Shinichi suddenly became thoughtful and started mumbling something to himself, so Frire couldnt help but be suspicious.

Whats the matter?

Nothing, or at least thats what Id like to say, but I suppose thats not possible. Theres a reason why I had to talk to you about this.

As he said that, he wryly smiled and said, lets go, then walked off.

For a moment, Frire wondered what was going on, but when she looked at her foster, she finally realized what was happening.

As she followed after Shinichi, he said.

Do you know why I talked to you about the situation between Earth and Garesto just now?

Uh, because theres a high chance that that incident was perpetrated by the extremists?

Mind Skills were still being researched even in Garesto.

Whoops Oh, yeah, its going to be a lot harder from here on, so be sure to take care. Even if the incident this time ends safely, all the troubles are bound to gather to here(me).

It would be best to be more careful than usual.

She didnt understand what his basis for all of this was, but there has indeed been more incidents ever since he transferred. When she thought that, she became uneasy.

Dont make a face like that. It wont end up like youre thinking.

What do you mean?

But the powerful words that the boy spoke next wiped all that unease away, and when his eyes looked up, for the first time, something devilish could be felt from them.

I promise you, Frire Doneju, so long as its within the reach of these two hands and two eyes of mine, I wont let a single one of those kids die. Not one!

She was speechless.

Was it because she was that uneasy? Or was it because the boy had just promised something so arrogantly without a shred of doubt?

The answer is neither.

What took her words away was not her uneasiness nor the boys arrogance, but those powerful yet inflexible words.

They captivated her.

And she couldnt pull herself from those eyes so full of conviction and resolve. Never before had she seen such eyes.

She felt she had to say something, but no words would come out.

Y-You sure know how to boast.

When she finally managed to mutter something, she wanted to swallow them right back in.

If I cant do that much, then I wont even be able to hold myself with pride.

Hmm?

The boy spoke with a relaxed smile as he walked away from Frire, then he quietly pointed at his surroundings.

Leave these guys to me too. Their objective is probably me.

Youll give me a report, right?

Of course. Ill call you later.

After saying what needed to be said, the boy ran off at an adequate speed.

He seemed used to the dark, as he quickly made his way through the trees, and before long, became nothing more than a dot.

When Frire looked down at her foster, the light signifying the boy was being chased by several other lights.

It turns out that the reason he changed locations was because people have already started to surround him.

She didnt have her guard up that much since they were all students, but the moment Shinichi left her, they suddenly closed in. Apparently, they really were aiming for him.

All the troubles are going to gather, huh.

Thats not funny, but he didnt sound like he was joking, so she could only knit her brows.

But even if he was telling the truth, then it was only right for him to come here.

Even if people werent trying to find trouble for him, it was originally a place meant just for that.

Because of that it was several times more capable of handling those troubles than any normal city.

But of course, thats only true if you dont consider the people living in it at all.

No, this isnt the time for this.

She scolded herself for thinking something so foolish.

It was dark and the boy had already gone too far, so she couldnt see him anymore.

Why dont you consider yourself as one of those children?

And why couldnt she point that out when he made that oath.

As an adult, as a teacher, as Frire, she should have been able to say it.

The reason was simple. In the face of that strength that could declare something like that without doubt, her desire overpowered her.

She wanted to cross swords with him right at that moment.

Shes never found her own disposition disagreeable, but she has told herself to get a better read for the mood.

So my heart can beat fast for something other than fighting, huh.

She mocked herself, saying that there wasnt anything she could do about it, but at the same time, she thought about something else too.

The boy at that time certainly seemed full of conviction and resolve, but it also seemed as though those were the only things keeping him up.

Frire didnt know if it was a good thing for those things to have been spurred on.

Shed said that she wanted to know how he felt, but in the end, this was how things turned out.

In the end, she was still too lacking as an adult and as a teacher.

But even then

If I cant do that much, then I wont even be able to hold myself with pride.

Those words that he casually said bothered her.

Nakamura, are you Living with pride right now?