Chapter 8: Regional Administration Bureau

Irina and Sylvia headed to the Regional Administration Bureau in their newly purchased vehicle. Though concerned about the rumors of lost communication, they needed to request handling of the mansion and various other post-incident matters. They also needed to warn them again about the red-robed group.

Upon arriving at the Regional Administration Bureau, they found it in chaos. Reports were in confusion about the possible attack on the Storm-class battleship and the assault on the Vasines mansion, and apparently they were also experiencing communication interference, making it difficult to grasp the details.

“Get a handle on the situation! It’s been a full day since the first report! Is there still no word from the soldiers who headed to town?!”

The administrator’s raised voice could be seen from a distance.

“Yes, we’ve lost contact with the soldiers who should have headed to town immediately after the attack report. There’s no response from the security pods throughout the region either. We have no idea what’s happening.”

The communications officer answered unreliably. Apparently the security pods responsible for localized defense had also been attacked. Irina intuited this was to delay awareness of the assault as long as possible.

“What about information on the Storm-class battleship? Really, those people at central keep demanding information from the regional bureaus but hardly send any information to the regions!”

“That battleship seems to have been under central’s direct command, so we have almost no information. We only received word it would dock in town and nothing since.”

Several more exchanges continued between the administrator and communications officer, but all reports were fragmentary with nothing certain. Irina and Sylvia stepped into the office and surveyed the confused staff.

“Please calm yourselves,” Irina announced in a resolute tone. “I am Irina Vasines, current head of the Vasines family. I’ve come to report what occurred at the mansion.”

The administrator’s eyes widened upon recognizing Irina, and he hurriedly straightened his posture and bowed deeply. “Th-this is… Lady Irina! To think you would come in person… Forgive me. We received reports of flames rising from the Vasines mansion and were concerned.”

Irina’s father had once made a name for himself as a military officer, and the Vasines family had been influential for generations. Their name was well-known among military personnel, and even though she was young, the administrator could not take her lightly.

The Vasines mansion was near the border. It was easily 53 vaans (132.5km) from the administration bureau managing this region to the mansion, so it was natural that grasping the situation would take time. In the first place, this nation, the Principality of Pheirozea to which the Vasines family belonged, possessed enormous territory nearly 18 lunes in diameter (approximately 1.5 light-years), with numerous scars of war still remaining throughout.

Through repeated territorial expansions, the nation’s periphery had been awkwardly stretched out, and naturally sufficient troops and supplies didn’t reach the frontier regions. Thus, near the borders where the Vasines family resided, maintaining order was nominal at best, and it wasn’t unusual for damage to spread by the time the regional bureau grasped the situation.

After being led to the administrator’s office, Irina and Sylvia conveyed all the information they knew. The Storm-class battleship’s bombardment, the infiltration by the red-robed group, the mechanical puppet wielding holy power, and the existence of the old library—

When the story ended, the administrator nodded with a pained expression.

“…I understand. It seems events beyond the comprehension of a frontier administrator like myself are occurring. However, it’s an undeniable fact that the Vasines family was attacked and there were casualties. And the existence of this red-robed group is concerning. If those who wield holy power are involved… we must consider the involvement of divine entities (Theominas). If so, the situation is extremely grave.”

The administrator gazed intently at Irina and her companion, carefully digesting their words one by one. Particularly when the involvement of “divine entities (Theominas)” was suggested, his expression clearly stiffened.

Divine entities (Theominas)—
These were the numerous supernatural beings confirmed to exist on Abysion. Most showed no interest in this continent itself, hiding in their own subspaces. However, once manifested, they possessed power enough to easily obliterate a planet-sized nation.

“Yes, I was concerned about that too. If divine entities (Theominas) are involved in this matter, in the worst case it could become a national defense issue for this country—that’s what I’ve been thinking.”

Irina also returned the words with a grave expression. Normally, holy power could only be wielded by the divine entities (Theominas) themselves, their familiars, or so-called believers who had been granted power by the divine entities (Theominas). However, she had heard it was extremely rare for the capricious divine entities (Theominas) to grant power. With a few exceptions.

“I believe you know about the Church of Gears, Lady Irina, but if they’re involved… No, I’ll say no more. I’ll report to central on my end. And as you say, Lady Irina, we’ll dispatch soldiers for now to organize and investigate the scene.”

The administrator suppressed the words he was about to say and moved the conversation to procedural matters. The “Church of Gears,” a religious organization said to be organized by divine entities (Theominas) themselves. They were the only group of divine entities (Theominas) actively trying to interfere with Abysion itself. Naturally, their military might was immeasurably powerful. If such an organization was the mastermind behind this incident, pursuing the mystery of Irina’s dreams and the book might be far too reckless.

“Please do. On this journey, I will uncover the mystery of the book and the reason for the attack. Please handle the detailed aftermath.”

Though numerous thoughts—anger, questions, and fear—surfaced in her chest, Irina suppressed them and bid farewell to the administrator with a resolute expression.

The administrator quietly watched her figure.

Eighteen years old—still an age with lingering innocence.
Young women barely older than his own daughter were about to embark on an unknown journey, heedless of mortal danger.

“…As an administrator, I should probably stop you. However—”

He exhaled deeply, hesitating whether to continue speaking.

“I’m not your parent. But… seeing Lady Irina and her companion, young women my daughter’s age, heading down such a dangerous path without being able to say anything is painful.”

Even as he said this, he knew.
The young women before him weren’t just “youngsters.” They were determined individuals, moreover the young lady of the Vasines family and her personal maid.

“…Still, I cannot tell you not to go any deeper. Please, be safe.”

He closed his eyes and quietly bowed his head.