Episode 24: You Can't Cover an Operation Map with Laughter But Laughter Is Necessary
The operations headquarters conference room was filled with a heavy atmosphere from the morning.
A large map was spread across the entire wall‚ semi-transparent magic monitors flickered‚ and residual concentration charts blinked red.
Footsteps echoed one after another‚ and each time a representative from each team took a seat‚ the chairs creaked slightly.
I—Aria—took my seat while holding a stack of documents.
My fingertips tapped “ton-ton” on the desk. It was the rhythm of tension.
“Everyone’s here‚ huh.”
The commander’s low voice resounded through the conference room.
His stern eyes‚ mixed with white hair‚ pointed to one spot on the map.
“Here. In the northern canyon region‚ a large magical beast is leading a pack and moving.
Residual contamination is progressing‚ and if left like this‚ the three surrounding villages will be in danger.
Extermination‚ blockade‚ and evacuation—we need to advance all three simultaneously.”
A stir spread.
I opened the documents and stood up.
“I’ll share the current data.
First‚ the central individual of the magical beasts has absorbed a ‘residual core‚’ and its range of activity is wider than usual.
According to our observations‚ the pack’s movement speed is 20% higher than average.
If evacuation is delayed‚ harm to the residents cannot be avoided.”
Waveforms were displayed on the magic monitor.
Nagi nodded slightly beside me.
“...In other words‚ we have to hurry or we’re in trouble‚ right?”
Cross said while folding his arms.
“That’s correct.”
When I answered‚ Cross grinned.
“Alright‚ leave it to me! My muscles will—”
“We can talk about muscles later!”
Kotone immediately interjected with a retort‚ and the atmosphere in the room softened just a little.
The commander cleared his throat and tightened the atmosphere again.
“...Anyway‚ this operation is the largest scale even for the academy.
Gather opinions from each team and formulate the optimal strategy.
Aria‚ continue the explanation.”
I took a deep breath and opened the next set of documents while tapping my fingertips “ton-ton.”
(...This is where the real deal begins.)
Once the atmosphere in the conference room had settled a bit‚ Nagi quietly stood up.
When she slid her finger across the semi-transparent magic monitor‚ the residual distribution around the canyon rose up in three dimensions.
“Now‚ I’ll organize the current risks.”
Nagi’s voice was as calm and matter-of-fact as always.
But its content was so heavy that everyone held their breath.
“First‚ the residual diffusion model.
If left alone like this‚ the contaminated area will expand to twice its size within three days.
The barrier’s fatigue level is already near its limit; if not reinforced‚ collapse is only a matter of time.”
“Three days...!?”
Rinne raised her voice involuntarily.
“Yes. Moreover‚ because the central individual of the magical beasts has absorbed a ‘core‚’ its interference with barriers is stronger than usual.
In other words‚ even if we put up a barrier‚ the possibility of it being breached is high.”
Nagi continued matter-of-factly.
“Furthermore‚ the magical beasts’ movement route is unpredictable.
There’s no guarantee they’ll follow our guidance.
In the worst case‚ there’s a possibility they’ll collide with the evacuation routes.”
A heavy silence fell over the conference room.
I supplemented while flipping through the documents.
“...However‚ the magical beasts’ behavior has a certain ‘fluctuation.’
If we use emotional magic to disrupt the phase‚ there’s a possibility we can limit their direction of advance.”
Nagi nodded.
“Aria’s magic will be the key.
However‚ the burden is large‚ so a backup will be necessary.”
At that moment‚ Liam raised his hand.
“Additional information from the site. Part of the supply route has been cut off by a landslide.
Restoration will take at least half a day. The evacuation completion rate is still only 60%.”
“60%...!”
Rinne’s expression clouded.
Kotone also said while checking her tablet.
*“The medical team’s preparations aren’t complete yet either.
We’re short on spare barrier lamps too...”
Realistic problems piled up one after another.
In the midst of that‚ Mark raised his hand energetically.
“In other words... it’s insanely dangerous‚ right!?”
“Summarizing it‚ yes.”
Nagi answered immediately.
“O-oh... Nagi-san‚ maybe you could... wrap it in a bit more sugarcoating or something...”
“Unnecessary.”
“That’s harsh!”
A small laugh arose in the conference room‚ and the tense atmosphere eased just a little.
I took a deep breath and opened the next documents.
(...From here‚ we’ll put the operation plan together.)
The atmosphere in the conference room tightened again.
I placed the documents forward‚ took a deep breath‚ and then opened my mouth.
My fingertips tapped “ton-ton” on the desk. This was a rhythm for organizing my thoughts.
“—Now‚ I’ll present the operation plan.”
The tactical diagram I had created was displayed on the magic monitor.
The canyon terrain‚ the magical beasts’ advance routes‚ and the residual concentration distribution were overlaid and displayed.
“The central individual’s ‘residual core’ has an unstable magical phase.
Therefore‚ I’ll use emotional magic to disrupt the phase and temporarily dull the magical beasts’ movements.
In that opening‚ the vanguard will charge in‚ and the rear guard will seal it with a barrier.
At the same time‚ complete the residents’ evacuation—this is the core plan.”
Cross raised his hand.
“In other words‚ Aria will be the ‘magical beast stalling role‚’ right?”
“More precisely‚ it’s ‘behavioral restriction through phase disruption.’”
“Don’t use such difficult wording! Basically it’s stalling‚ right!”
“...Well‚ yes.”
A small laugh arose in the conference room.
Rinne spoke with a serious expression.
“What about the residents’ evacuation? It’s still only 60% finished‚ right?”
“We’ll narrow the evacuation routes to two.
Nagi will handle barrier reinforcement‚ and Kotone and the medical team will handle rear support.”
When I answered‚ Rinne nodded.
“Then I’ll handle the evacuation guidance.
The residents’ agitation is high‚ so someone needs to be by their side.”
Nagi supplemented matter-of-factly.
“Barrier reinforcement will be done in three stages.
The first stage at the start of evacuation‚ the second stage when the magical beasts approach‚ and the third stage coordinated with Aria’s phase disruption.
If the timing is off‚ the whole thing will collapse‚ so be careful.”
“O-oh... that was kinda scary to hear.”
Mark shrugged his shoulders.
“I merely stated the facts.”
“Nagi-san‚ can’t you say it a bit more gently!?”
“Impossible.”
“That’s harsh!”
Laughter spread through the conference room again‚ but the discussion quickly regained its seriousness.
Cross said while pointing at the map.
“The front line will be handled by me and Mark.
The diversion team will be positioned on the right ridge to draw the magical beasts’ attention that way.
We’ll secure two withdrawal routes.”
“Understood!”
Mark clenched his fist.
“I’ll draw the magical beasts with my hot-blooded spirit!”
“Hot-bloodedness doesn’t work on magical beasts.”
Nagi immediately cut him down.
“It might work‚ right!?”
“It doesn’t.”
“That’s harsh!”
And then—
“What about the operation name?”
The moment Cross said it in a light-hearted tone.
“How about ‘Everyone Do Your Best Grand Operation’ or something?”
Mark proposed with a full smile.
The conference room fell silent.
“...Rejected.”
“...Rejected.”
“...Rejected.”
Rejected simultaneously from three directions‚ Mark slumped his shoulders.
“Whyyy...!”
However‚ after the laughter‚ a serious atmosphere returned once more.
I closed the documents and looked around at everyone.
“—That is the operation plan.
The risks are large‚ but I believe this is the method with the highest success rate.”
Everyone nodded quietly.
(...From here‚ we move toward execution.)
The atmosphere in the conference room‚ while retaining the heat of the discussion‚ gradually switched to “practical mode.”
The commander tapped the map and said shortly.
“—Alright‚ we’ll go with this operation. Each team‚ make final confirmation of your roles.”
I organized the overall flow while flipping through the documents.
My fingertips tapped “ton-ton” on the desk. This was a rhythm for rearranging the procedures in my head.
“First‚ evacuation guidance centered on Rinne.
The medical team will stand by in the rear with Kotone and Liam.
Nagi will handle the three stages of barrier reinforcement.
Cross and Mark will handle diversion and charging on the front line.
I’ll perform the phase disruption in the center.”
Everyone nodded.
“Please confirm the supply materials.”
Kotone said while operating her tablet.
“Spare barrier lamps‚ mana recovery potions‚ first-aid kits... and Cross-san‚ do you really need your ‘muscle nutrient supplements’?”
“I need them!”
“You don’t need them!”
Rinne immediately interjected with a retort‚ and a small laugh spread through the conference room.
***
Nagi read out the equipment list matter-of-factly.
“The front-line team should go light. Heavy equipment will actually hinder movement.
I’ll perform the inspection of the magic devices.
...Mark‚ your sword is over-sharpened. The blade has become thin.”
“Eh‚ is that a thing!?”
“It is.”
“That’s harsh!”
Preparations proceeded at a good tempo.
When we left the conference room‚ members of each team were already running around in the corridor.
Messengers for the evacuation notice were running‚ the adjustment sounds of magic devices resounded‚ and the supply team was stacking luggage.
Cross and Mark were confirming their front-line equipment‚ but—
“Mark‚ your chest plate is on backwards.”
“Eh!? Ah‚ you’re right!”
“How do you even put it on backwards...?”
Rinne let out a exasperated voice.
Nagi watched that scene and said one thing expressionlessly.
“...A difficult road ahead.”
“Nagi-san‚ the way you say it!”
Mark protested with teary eyes.
Even so‚ there was no hesitation in everyone’s movements.
There was tension and anxiety.
But more than that‚ “what needed to be done” was clear.
(...It’s a large-scale operation‚ but everyone is here.
I just have to fulfill my role.)
I took a deep breath and readjusted my hold on the documents.
When I left the conference room‚ evening light was streaming into the corridor‚ and long shadows stretched out.
The bustle of the operations headquarters was still continuing‚ but my—Aria’s—steps naturally became slower.
While readjusting my hold on the documents‚ I tapped my fingertips “ton-ton.”
This was less about tension and more a rhythm for ruminating on the procedures in my head.
(...The timing of the phase disruption‚ the three stages of barrier reinforcement‚ the evacuation guidance routes...
It’s fine‚ everything is organized.)
As I walked while thinking that‚ Rinne quietly came up beside me.
“Aria-kun‚ don’t push yourself too hard.”
Along with her soft voice‚ her hand lightly touched my shoulder.
That warmth loosened the tense depths of my chest just a little.
“Yeah. Thanks. ...You be careful too‚ Rinne.”
“Of course. But Aria-kun has the most dangerous role‚ you know?”
“...I know.”
Rinne furrowed her brows worriedly‚ but then immediately smiled.
That smile seemed to gently push my back.
A little ways away‚ Cross and Mark were making a racket while shouldering their equipment.
“Alright! My muscles are fully prepared!”
“My soul is also fully prepared!”
“Leave your soul behind.”
Nagi cut them down matter-of-factly‚ and the two shouted “That’s harsh!” at the same time.
At that exchange‚ I couldn’t help but smile a little.
(...It’s a large-scale operation‚ but everyone is here.
I just have to fulfill my role.)
Just before the conference room door closed‚ Nagi’s terminal emitted a small warning sound.
On the screen‚ a new residual diffusion prediction was blinking red.
“...Bad timing.”
Nagi muttered quietly.
I took a deep breath and readjusted my hold on the documents.
(—Let’s go. This is where the real deal begins.)
|