Chapter 122 – How Embarrassing That My Name Has Already Spread So Far…!

Seldia Administration Bureau -- High-Security Wing.

Inside an interrogation room doubling as a custody-transfer chamber, partitioned off by heavy reinforced glass and an electromagnetic barrier, the procedures were carried out under tight security.

Blang and his subordinates, completely stripped of freedom by specialized restraints, were handed over, heavy-footed, to the Wistrum homeland military's transport guards. Nothing remained of Blang's once-fierce bearing; he kept a bitter silence, submitting quietly to the biometric identity scan presented to him.

A terminal chimed its confirmation tone, and the words TRANSFER APPROVAL COMPLETE surfaced on the hologram display.

The homeland military's transport guards efficiently cross-checked the documents against the encrypted record data, and every administrative procedure for the handover was completed without incident.

Once the cold, tense atmosphere had settled, Captain Heiras let out a short breath and turned to Priscilla, standing beside him.

"Right, that takes care of the main procedures for Blang and the others' transfer. ...Lieutenant Priscilla, since this is a valuable opportunity -- why don't you go take a look at the Seldia Vigilante Corps' facilities? I'll handle the finer details of the transport arrangements and get in touch with the homeland."

The unexpected suggestion made Priscilla's eyes widen, and she glanced, a little hesitantly, toward Grain standing nearby.

"But... wouldn't the Vigilante Corps' facilities and operations touch on matters that are important classified information for Seldia as well? ...Captain Grain, would it really be all right for someone from another nation's military, like myself, to intrude?"

At Priscilla's modest, considerate question, Grain rubbed his chin -- "Ahh... let's see..." -- and, with a faintly troubled, wry smile, looked over at Ruerio, who stood waiting nearby.

"Mr. Ruerio, what do you think?"

Asked directly, Ruerio answered with a mild smile.

"It's no trouble at all, Grain. This is also a good opportunity to build a good relationship with the Wistrum homeland. Please show Lieutenant Priscilla around."

"Understood. ...Now then, Lieutenant Priscilla, this way please. Allow me to show you around."

With Ruerio's ready approval, Grain started walking, motioning for her to follow.

"Thank you very much. I'll be glad to learn what I can."

Priscilla bowed politely, then fell into step behind Grain, her bearing composed and dignified.

◆◆◆

Past the high-security wing, a wide connecting corridor led on toward the Vigilante Corps' main hangar and training facilities.

From the open-air catwalk, one could look out over general-purpose Makina under maintenance and the neatly ordered ranks of corps members at training.

"This is the Vigilante Corps' No. 1 Hangar. It isn't a particularly large facility, but since we're responsible for keeping the peace in Seldia and keeping watch over the surrounding space, we put special emphasis on our maintenance systems."

At Grain's careful explanation, Priscilla nodded, visibly impressed, taking in the vast facility with her eyes.

"It's wonderful. The machines' maintenance condition looks extremely good as well. I can sense a high standard of purpose and discipline here -- more than you'd expect from a simple autonomous-district self-defense organization."

"It's an honor to hear you say so. ...Oh, and that over there is--"

At the end of Grain's gaze -- two women stood watching them intently.

Milea, who had come to see how things were going, and Letaria, who had been following Priscilla with her eyes.

"Ah...!"

Priscilla stopped in her tracks, her eyes meeting Letaria's squarely.

"Letaria, look -- she's the one who helped you back in Cranea, isn't she? Go on and give her a proper greeting."

Given a light push on the back by Milea, Letaria stepped forward and dropped into a graceful bow, pinching at her skirt as though gathering a dress's hem (though what she was actually wearing at the moment was plain clothes).

"Um... it has been quite some time, Miss Priscilla! Back at Station Cranea, you rescued me when I was being harassed by some ill-mannered person -- thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart!"

Priscilla's eyes widened for a moment in surprise at Letaria's sudden greeting, but almost immediately her face broke into a smile as the memory clicked into place, a gentle warmth spreading across her expression.

"Oh my...! It's you, Miss Letaria!" She laughed softly. "I never imagined that the person I spoke with that day would turn out to be Seldia's hero, 'The Rampaging Lady.'"

At Priscilla's words, Letaria's cheeks flushed.

"Oh, honestly -- how embarrassing, that that name has already spread so far...!"

At that, Priscilla's smile only deepened.