Enlightened Hearts

"I'm a psychic. I can sense these things. The old-timer guessed right: this really is an experimental workshop. I suspect it was where the Enlighteners tested the production of Element Zero."

Baka the bear-man's face instantly filled with shock, as if his faith had been shattered.

That's right. The pioneers had indeed mastered the means of manufacturing these "divine substances," and it wasn't exactly a secret. It was just that the media didn't trumpet it, and the authorities didn't go out of their way to debunk the story. So ordinary people still believed that "zero element" really was a "gift from the gods," bestowed upon them by the spirit of the universe.

"H-how can it be a laboratory..." The bear-man's face fell. He fumbled for a moment, trying to argue, but he wasn't good with words, nor was he the sort to stand his ground in front of a superior. In the end, he said nothing.

Dr. Banks and Youyou patted his shoulders from either side to comfort him. Of course, given the difference in their heights, they could only reach his back.

Yu Lian pretended not to notice and continued, "So far, ninety-nine percent of the Enlightener ruins discovered by the various nations have turned out to be practical facilities: factories, laboratories, barracks, archives, and so on. Of course, there really are palaces and temples, but the media would obviously rather report on those. As a result, everyone outside thinks the pioneers were a mystical... a divine, religious civilization. That's a misconception."

And it was quite possible that the misconception had been deliberately engineered.

"Our pioneers and guides were far more practical than we imagined. But let's get back to the point. This mithril..." Yu Lian paused. For some reason, saying that word against a cosmic backdrop felt jarringly out of place. He'd been through it countless times in his previous life and was used to it, but it still felt out of place.

"This can't really be considered a success. Maybe the process was flawed, or maybe they've been sitting here too long, but they've lost their activity. They're no longer strategic resources, so we can sell them. If you trust me, I'll find a reliable buyer. Split evenly, each of us would get..."

The bear-man sergeant abruptly raised his head. His mournful expression instantly turned visibly eager, and he shouted, "No, we can't split it evenly!"

Yu Lian jumped. I never took you for the greedy type, you thick-browed fellow! Think I can't swing a sword just because I'm only a First Circle?

Dr. Banks must have noticed Yu Lian's displeased expression, because he hurriedly explained, "S-sir, he means we shouldn't take so much. You just got here, so you wouldn't know. Back when Commander Monderson and Second Lieutenant Russo were here, the officers got seventy percent of the extra earnings, the NCOs got twenty, and the soldiers got ten. Uh, I have an accounting certificate, too. I handled the books."

"Are you pirates? No, even pirates aren't that ruthless! I remember the shares for the captain, officers, and sailors were usually five-three-two or four-three-three. That's the code!"

"Then why do you know so much about pirate codes?" Uncle Karl asked.

Yu Lian coughed and pretended not to hear. "...Then let's each take a third."

"S-sir, you're so generous!" Dr. Banks was practically overcome with emotion.

Yu Lian weighed the box in his hands and quickly estimated its value. "If we sell it now, I alone would get at least ten million. The rest of you should each get around a million, while the soldiers would only get about half a million."

Yu Lian was the only officer present, so if they split the money by rank, he'd get that much. Technically, there was another officer assigned to Outpost Twelve: Second Lieutenant Cruz, the airship pilot. But everyone had completely forgotten about him.

Everyone cheered. Youyou had even started chanting, "Long live Commander Yu!" Sergeant Baka wiped away his tears and looked at Yu Lian as if he were a savior, as though he'd seen a merciful Bodhisattva.

So he'd found a new source of faith. Superstitious beliefs built on unequal access to information really didn't stand a chance against cold, hard cash.

"Once you get your money, keep your mouths shut! If I find out who let the secret slip, I'll skin him alive!" the old mechanic barked. His voice and presence alone drowned out everyone else.

At the venerable old man's word, he was the most respected person in the whole barracks, everyone hurriedly nodded.

"...What you're doing is breaking the rules. You mustn't let the other officers find out." The old man lowered his voice and advised Yu Lian in the tone of a kindly elder.

"Don't you think there's something wrong with that?"

"There is something wrong! If word gets out, your generosity and nobility will earn you the enemy's admiration, even though they haven't met you yet. But before that, your colleagues will see you as an enemy. You're so young, and so talented, but I've seen many fine, honest young people ruined by backstabbing."

"...No, you still don't understand. I'll get dozens of times as much as all of you!"

"Exactly. You're taking so little that you're breaking the rules. That's society for you, sir..." The old man continued earnestly.

There really was something wrong with society, but you had to start by changing yourselves!

"What's all the excitement about?" Ina walked in, looking radiant and full of energy. Her appearance hadn't changed much, but she seemed like a completely different person. There was a new air of cleverness and liveliness about her, and her charm had gone up several notches.

So that was why psychics were all handsome and beautiful. Even if a starfish awakened psychic powers, it would surely become the most dazzling—and tastiest—starfish in the universe.

"...Uh, I've just gotten to know society all over again and set myself a new little goal. What about you? Did everything go smoothly?"

"When I close my eyes, I can almost see nebulae, and my head's buzzing so badly it hurts. My vision's a little shaky, and all I hear is static. I really do need time to get used to it... Don't worry, though. Overall, things are changing for the better."

He couldn't see how any of that sounded better. If anyone else heard her, they'd think she'd suffered a concussion. Still, it sounded like the usual symptoms of a "Sentinel" awakening—in other words, the first circle of a Starfall Emissary.

The "Scarlet-Eyed Witch" was destined to take this path. That was probably the will of the spirit of the universe.

In any case, the operation had been a great success. The enemy pursuers had been completely routed, and the boss had gone down without even getting a chance to fight. The team had found a cache of intact, usable equipment. Every soldier had gotten a fat payday, morale was through the roof, and loyalty was at its peak. The sergeant-major had leveled up, and the protagonist—Yu Lian—had not only gotten his hands on the most important thing in the ruin, but no one suspected a thing... It was a near-perfect story!

But Yu Lian didn't have time to inspect the chip he'd secretly stashed away. After their little expedition through the ruins, everyone realized they had guns, cannons, and tanks, and their morale was sky-high. Only then did it finally dawn on someone that they weren't routed troops fleeing in terror after losing even their home base. They were reinforcements officially dispatched by headquarters to Tulong.

So Ina, serving as staff sergeant, formally proposed that they "march to Tulong," and he approved. He pulled up a map and called the NCOs over for a meeting.

After all, even the ragtag members of the garrison were proper soldiers of the state. Surely no one was going to suggest they head into the mountains and become bandits.

"Um, sir, we could stay here and rest for a few more days, until the fighting in Tulong is over..." Dr. Banks suggested quietly.

Why do my colleagues always have to make me eat my words?

"Tulong's huge, so the Sandfolk can't possibly take the whole city, right? We could say we lost contact with headquarters, got chased by a large force of Sandfolk, and lost our way in the mountains. That's what actually happened, too. I... No, no, I'm just making a suggestion. Just a suggestion."

Before Yu Lian could react, Dr. Banks raised both hands and sheepishly backed away under Ina's glare.

"Sir, please don't take it personally... Dr. Banks is the breadwinner for his family. His parents are old, and his younger brother is studying abroad in the Empire. They all depend on his income. He, he really can't afford to die." The old mechanic seemed worried that the "young, honest, and generous" commander would hold it against Dr. Banks and report him, so he quietly explained.

"Who here can afford to die, then? Uncle Karl, don't you have a family to support, too?"

"Well, I..."

"Maybe I'm the only one who can afford to die. I grew up in a veterans' orphanage. I have no parents, no family, and no ties to hold me back." The sergeant-major smiled.

"Ina..." Old Karl thought helplessly. I haven't done anything to offend you, have I? Don't pile on right now, girl!

"Don't worry. I won't hold it against him. None of you have fought in a major battle before, so it's understandable that you're nervous and afraid. It's just that... Heh, if I started talking about a soldier's honor right now, it'd probably sound too self-important. But you're all on the governor's payroll, and you're happy enough to profit from being soldiers, so when it's time to work, you should at least show some spirit. Besides, at least some of you must have family or friends in Tulong Harbor, right? Sergeant Baka's daughter is there, for one. If nothing else, please find the courage to fight for a comrade's family!"

Everyone looked at the taciturn bear-man. He might look fierce, hit hard, and be a little eccentric, but in everyday life he was actually a kindhearted, honest man. And his daughter really was a sweet girl.

Feeling guilty and ashamed, Banks patted the bear-man's shoulder again—though, as before, he could only reach his back. Baka answered with a kind, simple smile.

"I have a friend in the city, too. I don't know how she's doing. I don't even know if she's alive or dead! So even if it's only for that, I hope you'll lend me your strength!"

Your friend is Lieutenant Colonel Eleanor Bonaparte, isn't she? What could possibly happen to someone as high-ranking as her? Ina wanted to say.

In any case, the NCOs' fighting spirit visibly rose.

This was what it meant to have the troops behind him! Yu Lian was triumphant.