ãWhat do you mean? What are you trying to say?ã
It appeared that Redas had the capacity to listen to a mere Squire student like Inglis. Taking up the offer, Inglis continued.
ãIt is also the will of Special Envoy Theodore to have Miss Ripple stay at the Knight Academy. In other words, it is the will of the Highland. The fact that the Royal Decree is contradicting that, means that the Decree is under the influence of an opposing factionâ¦â¦ in short, the Churchâs Union.ã
The Churchâs Union, officially known as the Church Founderâs Union. Opposing them was the Dukeâs Party, officially known as the Three Archdukes Party. Those were the two major political factions of the Highland. Special Envoy Theodore belonged to the latter.
Traditionally, this kingdom had been receiving Special Envoys from the Churchâs Union and the Dukeâs Party alternatively as the two factionsâ influence was balanced. That was why the bestowed Hyrule Menaces, Eris and Ripple, were affiliated with the Dukeâs Party and the Churchâs Union respectively.
ãYesâPrecisely as you say.ã ãThe disaster that happens to Miss Rippleâs body right now is a sanction from the Churchâs Union, isnât it? This means itâs safe to assume that they are enraged. They cannot tolerate the attempt of the power balance shifting towards the favor of the Dukeâs Party.ã1 ãâ¦â¦We do not recognize any such agenda. It must be nothing more than an anomaly that happens in the body of Lady Ripple.ã ãYes, I see. Thatâs a different take from what Special Envoy Theodore has in mind.ã ãLord Theodore belongs to the Dukeâs Party. Being in the opposing faction, heâs bound to possess a biased view.ã ãHave we received any assurances from the Highland regarding the replacement of the Hyrule Menace?ã ãNo⦠I have heard that itâs still in negotiation.ã ãIf so, keeping in mind that the negotiation may or may not be lengthened for some period of time, I believe it is best to make a thorough preparation before Miss Ripple is removed from the Academyâs grounds. So far, there hasnât been any major problem that involved the students, the environment, or the city and its residents. If by any chance a major incident happened after she was transferred to the Imperial Guard Orderâs care, critics would say that the Imperial Guard was inferior to mere students.ã ãYou canât say there arenât any problems. A problem did happen. A student as excellent as Silva was injured.ã
As expected of the doting-parent, or rather, doting-brother Redas, he wouldnât agree to let Ripple stay. This was within her expectation. Inglis would in turn take advantage of it.
ãExactly. Even someone as strong as Senior Silva was injured. That is why I said we mustnât be negligent with the preparation.ã ãMuâ¦â¦ What preparation did you speak of?ã ãSpecial Envoy Theodore has arranged for us a new type of Artifacts. The reason our damages is kept at minimum is because of those Artifacts.ã
While that wasnât strictly the truth, that was still the case to some level. For now, Inglis only needed to make Redas think that those Artifacts had such a high value in order to postpone the transfer of the baton to an even later date.
Right now, the last thing Inglis wished to happen was to have Ripple taken away from them without them being able to do anything about it. And then, during the postpone period Inglis created, they could devise their next move.
No, to be precise, Inglis already had a plan in mind. She would consult it with the others after her agenda was through.
ãHm, I see. Lord Theodore didââã ãI think it would be safer to first make preparations to transfer the rights of those Artifacts, selection of suitable personnel, training in their use, and many others.ã ãHmmâ¦â¦ã
Redus seemed to be much more inclined to Inglisâ idea. Even for him, it would be ideal to carry out his duty with the least chance of fatality. In addition, just several days would still be under the tolerance level for the handover
ãI think it is best to ask Senior Silva to be in charge of the handover. With that, he can leave his escorting duty.ã
Finally, Inglis unleashed a decisive blow.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
ãHm, that sounds good. Letâs go with that.ã
If he was transferred from escorting duty to handover duty, Silva would immediately be in a safe position. Taking account of Redasâ character, he couldnât ask more from this idea.
ãAs I have no authority to make the decisionââPrincipal, are we good with these terms?ã
Said Inglis as she turned to face Principal Miliera, but then Rafinhaâs face suddenly intruded her vision.
Squeeze!
And thus, both of Inglisâ cheeks were stretched apart.
ãWE ARE NOOT!! What are you thinking, do you want to just cast aside Miss Ripple!? We canât, absolutely canât!! I wonât yield even if itâs you, Glis!!ã ãN-, nyaw nyaw. We awe nyot ngoin nyu do awiining fat do er, ohay.ã2
It was hard to speak with her cheeks pulled.
ãEhâ¦â¦? What do you mean?ã ãYow nyow whay aw alway hay ihn mayn.ã3 ãâ¦â¦Want to fight strong opponents, want to eat delicious foods, want to put on cute dresses?ã ãAyn alway weing wanwiâs ayly.ã4 ãâ¦â¦I can believe in you, right? Iâm going to believe you, okay? I can, right?ã ãYesh!ã
After Inglis nodded, Rafinha finally let her hands off Inglisâ cheeks.
ãT-, they managed to converse perfectlyâ¦â¦ I canât even fathom what she was even speaking about.ã ãFor some odd reason, they still can understand each other even when being like that, you see⦠Itâs already a special ability in its own right.ã
Liselotte and Leone whispered to each other.
ãU-, understood⦠We will go with the course of action Miss Inglis and Mr. Redas have devised.â¦â¦ã
The principal was furious beyond words just moments ago, but now she just nodded in assent. She must have read Inglisâ intention with this plan.
ãThatâs how it is, Lady Ripple. Are you fine with it?ã ãYeahâ¦â¦Iâm good with that. Iâll just follow what you guys sayâ¦ã
Ripple gave Redas a small nod.
Mab: I had to reread the raw 5 times while crying before I could be sure I get the general idea of it.
Basically, it should be churchâs turn to play with the toy, but duke didnât want to let it go, so church sulks.
Silva: N-, now now. Weâre not going to do anything bad to her, okay.
Silva: You know what I always have in mind.
Silva: And always being Raniâs ally.