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After a good scolding, we entered the room. It was time for a serious explanation.

Lucian’s group joined in the conversation too, probably because they wanted to hear why we left them behind.

As the second explanation session began, the Violets apologized to their friends.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind!”

I hung my head and apologized too. It was definitely wrong to just leave them on the island without saying anything.

“Will they forgive us if we do this much?”

“If they don’t, then there’s nothing we can do!”

We, the Violets, tried to gauge our friends’ reactions. Maybe it was from the beating, but my head was throbbing.

The physical pain might have been lessened from the distribution of hurt, but I could truly feel that my friends were really angry. Even Daphne hit me on the head with her magic staff.

“Why did you leave us? Huh?”

Kalia shouted.

Daphne also wore a gloomy expression. Seeing my friend’s hurt face, a wave of guilt flooded through the Violets.

“You’re right; you could have just said you wanted to do it alone. Why did you abandon us?”

I managed to open my mouth to explain.

“No! I didn’t abandon you! I just wanted you to rest. You’ll understand later that our operation was huge. That’s why I left you out for safety.”

Irene muttered quietly.

“…Yeah, I get it. You don’t trust us.”

“That’s not it!”

A shining gaze brushed over my face. That golden light was cold, devoid of warmth, unlike the color it bore.

That chill hit me harder than my friends’ angry words.

I had been wondering why they hadn’t joined in scolding me earlier; it seemed it was due to disappointment.

“Ugh… I guess this isn’t something we can overlook…”

We explained the original intent slowly.

While we handled the situation, our friends could enjoy their vacation peacefully without any stress.

“I’m sorry for lying. But this was dangerous! We had to blow up the headquarters and burn down the academy. It was to buy time, but we fought with the Chairman too! I didn’t want you guys to get hurt or anything!”

“Then you should’ve said that from the start! We’re friends, right? You think we wouldn’t help if you asked?”

“Waaah… I just thought you guys wouldn’t want to be uncomfortable. How could I say that?”

“Uncomfortable? Well, I see.”

Irene sighed.

Her expression seemed to say she had anticipated everything, as if to say, “Of course.”

The other friends’ faces twisted, as if they had received rejection notices from interviewers.

It was a slip of the tongue.

In my attempt to make excuses, I accidentally revealed my true feelings.

“…Are we bothering you? Is that it?”

Levi looked at me with a tearful expression, and I shook my head vigorously.

“Absolutely not! It’s just that I wished you wouldn’t have to suffer!”

As I said this, I looked at my friends.

Then I saw the three girls right in front of me.

Those friends were the reason I was fighting, the purpose behind taking risks.

Somehow, the Violets had developed a duty to protect them.

“Was it overprotection?”

One Violet muttered absentmindedly.

With that, words burst forth as if a dam had broken.

“If we had included you in the operation, you could have been caught in the explosion. You could be hit by a stray attack. Plus, the enemies we’re dealing with are all ridiculously strong! We might be fine with dying, but for you, once you’re gone, that’s it!”

Irene, who was about to say something, closed her mouth.

“And during the operation, there’s a chance our faces could be exposed or identities revealed. We did a lot of destruction this time, but there are still remnants and branches of those guys left on the continent. What if they find out who we are? We may not have parents or property, but you wouldn’t be able to attend school afterward.”

“School, you say?”

Daphne asked a question, and I answered.

“I told you that after this, we’d move to a good school like Aegis Academy. One with no bullies and no weird rules! I want to attend classes, have fun, and do experiential learning with you! For that to happen, obviously, we can’t be caught doing anything shady. Plus, Irene will be able to solve the Helios problem later. About the clan stuff.”

Irene suddenly perked up, probably hearing the last specific word mentioned.

“Helios? What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, right. I was planning to help with the Magnavis matters after we wrap this up. That way, we won’t have any account freezes again! I was also going to deal with that suspicious uncle! Look, this is the new investigation report.”

I excitedly pulled out some materials from my bag.

Irene’s calm eyes suddenly flickered as she shouted.

“You…! Who asked you to do this? Why are you taking it upon yourself to do things that weren’t even requested? Why?!”

My friend’s voice shook.

The Violets fidgeted. Were they angry about something I took upon myself?

“U-uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d dislike it…”

“I messed up! I won’t do anything like that on my own anymore…”

As I anxiously awaited their response, an unexpected reaction came.

Irene’s eyes glimmered with tears.

“Uh…?”

As I came to my senses, I found Irene hugging me tightly.

“You idiot, why do you take on all this hardship alone? Why are you doing this? We’ve done nothing to help and only dragged you down…”

I replied.

“But we’re friends!”

Before I knew it, Kalia and Daphne were also hugging me one by one. I felt so awkward wrapped in my friends’ embraces. Why the sudden change?

The second explanation session ended with an unexpected group hug.

But in the end, I was glad they forgave me. Hehe.

**

The Violets’ friends left the room, feeling a mix of emotions.

‘What can we possibly do for Violet?’

They pondered how much their pure yet cruel friend had done for them, and what they could do for a friend who had already grown so much.

No matter how hard they thought, they couldn’t find an answer.

While their friends struggled to sort out their complicated thoughts, wiping their reddened eyes as they went down, they spotted a well-dressed woman leaning against the wall.

‘Is that the Scholarship Officer accompanied by an Inspection Bureau agent? I thought they had all withdrawn?’

At that moment, the woman approached the girls and spoke to them.

“I’m Sophie El. As you can see, I’m affiliated with the Inspection Bureau.”

She shrugged her shoulders. Irene asked.

“Weren’t you supposed to withdraw?”

As the girls were puzzled, Sophie El answered with a kind smile.

“I wish I could also go home. But unfortunately, the Violet student has allegations against her and will have to be monitored for a while. Didn’t I explain this just before the withdrawal? I decided to stay. It’s a request from my younger sibling.”

“A younger sibling?”

“Yes, you didn’t know? The Scholarship Officer, Seijis, is my twin brother.”

After a brief explanation, the students grasped the situation. Ah, so it was regarding the surveillance of Violet after all.

However, the following words left the students unable to hide their bewilderment.

“So, I’ll also be staying here for a while. Please take care of me.”

The future scholarship officer and Inspection Bureau agent smiled brightly, greeting them.

**

After the Scholarship Officer’s visit and investigation, the day after the major incident.

Early in the morning, the citizens attempting to return to their daily lives after the shock of the previous day were greeted by numerous parachutes painting the sky.

The sun rising from the east encountered an unexpected obstacle, casting shadows on the ground.

Above the sky, leading the noise that tore through the atmosphere, dozens of massive transport aircraft appeared. In the higher azure sky, countless white lines, resembling supersonic fighter jets, peppered the heavens.

But what shocked the citizens was that wasn’t all.

Monstrous shapes of steel, the size of houses, obscured the sky over the core of the western district.

A heavy, large declaration echoed, reverberating down to the ground.

-Ah, citizens. Please remain calm. We have come for peace. No need to panic; you may continue with your usual livelihoods. We are currently executing a peacekeeping operation…

These were the strongest monsters shaped by humanity’s artifice of steel and ether engineering, dozens of anti-gravity engines equipped on each hull.

-We are the Federal Army Airborne Assault Unit, 3rd Carrier Battle Group.

An air battleship.

The fleet formation, designed more for display and intimidation rather than practicality, created a significant pressure on those watching.

Among the formation, a colossal aerial aircraft akin to tall skyscrapers stood out brilliantly.

“I can’t believe the Magnavis bastards really crumbled. I don’t know who the Ariel Group folks are, but they make me want to buy them a drink.”

On one side of the bridge where numerous soldiers were bustling about, the commander of the Military Intelligence Bureau laughed heartily.

He relished the outpouring of countless protests and concerns from the three clans flooding the communication network.

Opportunities to legally shove aside the dirty political agreements and pacts of clan folks by making a grand display were rare.

“Admiral, shall we begin?”

Hearing the general’s words, the admiral nodded.

“All hands, prepare to descend!”

New orders were issued to the fleet and escort formations.

Numerous parachutes fluttered to the ground like dandelions from the transport aircraft and air battleships.

Awakened Soldiers who landed began arming themselves and moving to seize key positions.

In the meantime, even larger cargoes, hanging from parachutes, descended to the ground. Rockets attached to both sides of their fuselages ignited, slowing their descent.

-KUWAHNG!

“Landing complete!”

Air cushions, rockets, and parachutes fell away one by one. The federal Super Medium Tanks rushed down the main street, dragging the weight of several hundred tons.

“All personnel, advance to key positions as per the operation plan! Execute!”

Walking machines reminiscent of small giants patrolled alongside the Awakened agents.

Armored vehicles raced around. The ground trembled, and the air filled with noise.

Citizens, overwhelmed by the ferocity, dashed into buildings for cover.

On a mid-November morning, the Federal Army launched an attack in the western district.

To put an end to the serial terrorist incidents in the western district, an event that would later be called the Magnavis dismantling crisis.

 

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