[782] The Definition of Evil (4)
* * *
A letter stamped with Kashan's seal took the fastest route along the Red Line and arrived in Tormia.
It was a registered delivery meant to be handed directly to the head of the Yongroe, and Albino rose the moment he finished reading it.
"Knock-knock."
When nobody answered his mouth-made knock, Albino opened the door and stepped inside.
"If someone's come, at least look up."
Through the piles of paperwork on the desk, gaunt Iruki lifted his face.
"If you mean 'someone,' look at the state I'm in."
Albino approached.
"If a madman is spouting mad things, I suppose that means you haven't fully lost it yet."
"...What is it?"
Iruki's annoyance was obvious.
"Congratulations. You won't have to deal with menial tasks anymore."
Albino tossed the letter and Iruki glanced down to check Kashan's seal.
"What is this?"
"Kashan sent a recruitment offer. They want you to come to Kashan. If you agree, the kingdom will back you strongly."
Iruki's interest faded.
"No thanks. I haven't even settled here—what's Kashan got to do with me? Stop with the useless fuss…."
Albino took a quiet pride in his son's reluctance—Merkodain family lines had long held the Yongroe leadership, and the son clearly didn't want that to end.
"You hated it, didn't you—the Yongroe."
"You don't skip going to the washroom just because you don't want to take a dump, do you?"
Albino forced a calm face and stored the image of his son absorbed in his work.
'Yeah. Merkodain is just another homework assignment to you.'
The decision was made.
"Read the letter. The terms are generous—you'll like it."
When Albino tapped the table where the envelope lay, Iruki stopped and frowned.
"I told you I'm not interested. I'm busy now, so go home and—"
"It's a letter from Shirone."
Iruki snatched the envelope and drew out the paper.
"...."
He read at the speed his eyes moved, then flipped back to the first page and savored each sentence.
"Phew!"
After taking it all in, he exhaled deeply and rubbed his face with both hands.
Albino, who knew what his son was thinking, smiled softly.
"Go. The world wants you. Times are turbulent, but I can protect Tormia."
Iruki said nothing.
"You have a talent others don't. But that talent is only a miracle of probability rolled by all humanity. Don't think it belongs to you just because it came to you. Use it for the world."
"...I'll go."
Iruki's eyes were resolute.
"The Red Line International Station will be the fastest route. When you reach the Molten Kingdom, Kashan will open a military channel for you."
Every nation under the Red Line keeps a magic-circle facility with the Association to jump between countries.
"When does Bashka open?"
"In fifty-seven minutes. Miss that and you wait twelve hours. I'll handle the formalities—go to the Magic Association now."
Because jumps between nations involve diplomatic concerns, circle openings are limited by international law.
'You won't need to wait in Molten….'
From Molten, Kashan's border nation, one could jump straight to Kashan using the empire's military channel.
"That'll still take a while, won't it?"
Considering each station's delays, you could expect to wait roughly six hours per country on average.
"Sleep and eat along the way. Don't forget to exchange for international currency. If there's a decent woman, go for it—who knows? In another country your face might do wonders."
There was no point in answering that.
"I'll leave right after I see Nade. Take care while I'm gone. He'll make a big impact eventually—keeping him around won't hurt the kingdom."
Nade had returned to Tormia with Rize and, under Yongroe authority, was researching ancient weapons.
"...All right."
Albino couldn't joke as he watched his son's back go out into the world.
With a satchel of documents, Iruki headed straight for the annex where Nade stayed.
"Nade, I'm coming in."
Top-secret kingdom documents about ancient weapons were strewn across the floor.
Empty liquor bottles and half-finished coffee cups cluttered the messy table where Nade sat smoking.
"You're doing it perfectly."
Nade looked like a wreck.
"What's up? Isn't this working hours?"
Iruki picked up a rolling bottle with his foot and dropped it in the trash.
"Does drinking give you good inspiration?"
Nade scribbled on paper, drew hard on his cigarette, and tapped his temple.
"It loosens tension. You have to get rid of that 'must succeed' pressure to have creative thoughts."
"And coffee?"
"It awakens a tired brain."
"And cigarettes?"
"They constrict blood vessels, speed blood flow. You can squeeze more thinking into the same time."
He called it the trilogy of creation.
"You'll die doing that."
"I can still hold on. I'm young. It's choice and focus. Once this is resolved, I'll quit everything."
Nade needed 120 percent right now.
"Anyway, what's the matter?"
Freed a little from his fixation, Nade looked up at Iruki.
"Going-out clothes? Where're you off to?"
Iruki took out the letter.
"Shirone called. He needs help. I'm going to Kashan. I won't be back for a while."
"Shirone?"
Nade slammed his hand on the table and sprang up.
"What about me? Was I invited too?"
Iruki pretended to read the letter.
"It says you're not needed. People like you should just have water poured on their plate and—"
"Don't be ridiculous."
Nade snatched the letter and read.
"Hmm, so that's how it is?"
The weariness in his eyes cleared and he regained a sharp focus.
"Sorry about that, I guess."
"Ha! No need to apologize. Go help Shirone. I've got my own work."
Back at the table, Nade scrawled inspirations in messy handwriting.
"Just watch. In this war you'll see what I can do. I'll make a fortune and smash the bastards who made Shirone cry."
No war without money.
'Go for it. You can do it.'
Iruki believed in the potential the pure engineer would realize once he aimed for profit.
"I'll keep in touch."
Nade raised a hand without another word, and Iruki closed the door and left.
* * *
"We've arrived."
Shirone, who had been pacing Aganos's vast room, lunged forward at the attendant's words.
It's here! It's here!
At Aganos's inner gate, Minerva and a group playing cards were waiting, and Uorin had come out as well.
As Empress of the Empire, she didn't have to come greet him, but Uorin was simply in a good mood.
'He's Shirone's friend.'
Getting to know the friends of the one you love is as joyful as getting to know the one you love.
"Open the inner gate."
As the huge doors parted, Iruki stepped out and Minerva lifted an eyebrow.
"That's Iruki?"
The servant Shirone had praised so highly.
'Definitely not an ordinary face.'
Light brown hair, mismatched eyes, a skinny frame, and a coat too big for him with sleeves fluttering.
Those who had pictured him resembling Sein watched with puzzled expressions as Iruki raised his hand.
"Long time no see, Shirone."
When no reply came, Minerva turned back and saw Shirone with a face as if he'd been crying.
"Iruki..."
They were on the same side.
A friend who would never change and would always stand by him, no matter what the future held.
"Iruki… ii…"
Shirone broke down into sobs.
'So that's it.'
Minerva looked at Iruki again.
'Someone who can show weakness and still be all right.'
Even Garcia admired the Infinite Mage's spirit—he seemed unshakeable in any circumstance.
Seeing Shirone collapse in an instant convinced Minerva of Iruki's worth.
"Why are you crying?"
Iruki put his satchel on the floor, smiled, and stepped forward to embrace Shirone.
"Tough time, huh? You did well."
It was enough comfort; flustered, Shirone could only nod repeatedly.
Uorin approached with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Teraze Uorin, Empress of Kashan."
"Thank you for summoning me. I'm Iruki, Shirone's friend."
Even before the summit of the Three Empresses, Iruki met her eyes and offered a handshake.
'Mitochondrial Eve—eyes that hold the weight of history. Shirone must have something to have a friend like her.'
Uorin sized him up at a glance.
'Incredibly brave-hearted. Even as a friend, Shirone is something else.'
They exchanged looks, aware this might not be easy, and Shirone cheerfully explained.
"Iruki is a researcher of the Yongroe from the Tormia Kingdom."
Uorin smiled as if she'd already taken him in.
"Of course I know. It must have been a difficult journey—thank you for responding to such a hard request."
"How hard or easy depends on the details. First, take a seat. I want to start quickly."
Before pleasantries were over, the card players' faces brightened.
"Good. Kando will guide you."
They were led to the panic room.
Small but suitable for confidential talks, the newcomers introduced themselves briefly.
Once introductions finished, Uorin began the meeting.
"As Shirone wrote in his letter, it'll help to hear it directly."
She covered the state of the war, the concept of the Extreme Evil, and explanations of the Ex Machina ancient weapon and .
"Hmm—a weapon that changes the Law."
As expected, the servant Iruki showed the most interest in Ex Machina.
Gudio said, "Having invited you, it's awkward to say this, but we don't yet know how well you can handle Ex Machina. You'll need to take a test. We'll also check teamwork."
It wasn't to dismiss Iruki—Ex Machina required one of the world's greatest minds to operate.
"If you fail, you might just have to go back. It's not a matter of who recommended you."
"Of course. I have no problem at any time," Ness said, getting straight to the point.
"Also, anything you hear today about Ex Machina must be kept secret until the war ends."
If a failed Iruki returned home and leaked information, all our strategies would be ruined.
"...Understood."
It could have stung, but Iruki nodded willingly.
"In the same vein, we can't provide information on the Alpha-Pishi and Beta-Pishi we're searching for. That's the outline. Now, let's move to Ex Machina."
"That's fine too. But—"
The card players paused and turned toward Iruki.
"Alpha-Pishi and Beta-Pishi. I don't know who they are, but I have an idea of the kind of people you're looking for."
Agaya asked, "Why insist they must be persons? To kill Havitz, wouldn't you need countless Laws?"
"Even if you change the Laws somehow, ultimately humans define good and evil."
Gudio met Ness's eyes and asked, "So… who do you think we're looking for?"
"Two emotions that will send ripples through the purity of Chaos."
Iruki spread his index and middle fingers.
"The person who loves Havitz the most, and the person who hates Havitz the most. For to succeed, these two people are absolutely necessary."
"...."
With the core strategy revealed, the card players fell silent, neither willing to affirm nor deny.
"All right, let's begin."
Iruki headed for the panic room's exit as Shirone and Uorin exchanged looks and smiled.