At the same time that the Legion's ambassador from Triumph City was secretly meeting with Duke Garawa, the Empire's representative in Dawn City, another secret meeting was also underway.
In a spacious, empty conference room.
Yang Kai, dressed in a white lab coat, stood respectfully beside a pulled-out chair, as though waiting for something.
The instant the minute hand reached the hour, a figure suddenly appeared in the chair directly across the conference table.
The man had an utterly unremarkable appearance, without a single feature that would stick in anyone's mind. Coupled with his expressionless face, he was the sort who would vanish the moment he was thrown into a crowd.
Even so, from the reverent demeanor of a certain B-rank researcher, it was clear that this person held no ordinary status within the Academy.
"Sit."
Hearing the voice from across the conference table, Yang Kai did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately took the chair beside him.
At the very moment he sat down, that lofty voice continued.
"Report on your work."
"Yes, esteemed Chief Technology Officer."
Yang Kai spoke with utmost respect, then proceeded to report in exhaustive detail on the series of events that had taken place south of the Wandering Swamp over this period.
He gave an especially detailed report on matters concerning The Alliance.
"...According to our understanding, The Alliance is planning to construct a space elevator. I suspect they recovered the blueprints from Vault 20, including its proposal for a non-orbital elevator. Relevant clues can be found in the observation records of our surveillance equipment."
After a pause, Yang Kai continued.
"Additionally, just as we previously anticipated, they have turned their attention toward the 'Celestials.'"
The conference room fell quiet for a while. The Chief Technology Officer seated at the table seemed to