Chapter 35: Hand of Cards

A few days had passed since I’d finished making Azusa’s uniform.

"Kehehe… So we finally meet, huh? Arius Branch School."

"…Yes, this is our first time meeting, Makoto-san."

Standing before me was a shady-looking student wearing a hat.

"Keheh… So the name of the great Makoto-sama has reached even Arius Branch, huh?"

"Yeees, suuuure it has."

…I was fairly certain this girl wasn’t even that famous within Gehenna. But whatever.

The Gehenna Academy Student Council—Pandemonium Society. And at its top sat the resident fool herself: Hanuma Makoto, in the flesh.

Recently, Makoto hadn’t reached out to Arius—it was the other way around. Beatrice had instructed me to secure both an information source regarding the Eden Treaty and a means of acquiring resources.

Using Shio’s communication tech, I had connected directly to Gehenna’s official Pandemonium Society network—openly. As expected, Makoto showed up alone in the Arius district, completely off guard.

"…Don’t you think you’re being a bit too careless?"

"Hmph… No need to say it aloud. You want to crush Trinity, don’t you?"

"……"

…In my plan, Makoto’s involvement—or rather, the airship that would be given to her as a token of friendship—was a necessary piece. Not that it wasn’t also a trap. Either way, I needed to form an alliance with her.

For now, it was best to act like we were on the same page.

"…Yes, that’s right. To destroy Trinity, we’ll need your cooperation. Please work with us."

"Depends on the terms… Sure, smashing that annoying Tea Party sounds fun, but that alone isn’t enough reason to cooperate."

…Yeah, about what I expected. Though honestly, starting negotiations by asking what’s in it for me was kind of dumb.

"What we’re asking for is material support and information on the Eden Treaty. As I mentioned in the transmission the other day, what we can offer in return is intel on Trinity, help with raids—and the destruction of the Eden Treaty itself."

"…Oh?"

"The Disciplinary Committee’s been a nuisance, hasn’t it? This is your chance to ruin Sorasaki Hina’s reputation."

"…Keheh, now you’re talking! Fine, I’ll cooperate!"

…Wow, that was easy. Well, to be fair, at this point Makoto didn’t yet realize that the real Arius Branch also held a grudge against Gehenna. Can’t really blame her.

"So, what’s the actual plan? What do you mean by ‘destroying the Eden Treaty’?"

"…Would you allow me to take that matter back for now? We only recently obtained the Eden Treaty data ourselves."

"…Hmm, fine."

"Thank you. Then please take your leave for today. This isn’t exactly the kind of place one should linger."

"…True enough. Well, if something comes up, contact me through the comms."

"Ah, please wait a moment. Before that…"

"…?"

There was one thing I needed to make clear.

"…Make a contract with us. You are not to speak of our relationship to anyone—and after the Eden Treaty signing ceremony, you are to have no further dealings with us whatsoever."

"…? Ah, sure."

"…Thank you. Then, farewell."

This was my insurance—to keep Hanuma Makoto out of the assassination plot against Beatrice.

When does the end of the signing ceremony occur? Naturally, when the signing’s outcome is decided and the ceremony formally concludes.

If that’s the case—then as someone from Arius with authority equivalent to a Trinity representative, I could stand beside Gehenna’s delegate, sign the treaty, and close the ceremony myself.

That’s what happened in the original timeline too, but back then, both Gehenna and Trinity’s representatives were incapacitated. That ‘contract’ had likely been incomplete.

To make it complete this time, Makoto’s awareness had to remain intact.

"…Now then. Madam’s orders should be coming any moment now."

In any case, what happens next depends on Beatrice’s command.

Inside the old, weathered building, I knocked on the most extravagant door among the rest—and opened it.

"…Excuse me."

"…Ah, it’s you. So, how did it go? Hanuma Makoto."

"Just as Madam predicted—an exceedingly easy person to manipulate. I see no reason for caution around her… though she holds no real value either. Once the signing ceremony is over, I believe we can discard her."

"…Hmm. I’m largely of the same opinion, yes."

…Still as insufferable as ever.

"About the Eden Treaty signing ceremony… what exactly should we do?"

"Ah, that matter."

…If my guess is right, this ties directly into my own plan.

"First, regarding this operation—until the moment of execution, you are not to disclose any details to anyone except your squad leader. Remember that."

"……Understood."

"Good. Now, the Eden Treaty… it does have its uses."

"…Its uses?"

"Hmm, I’ll explain as we go."

Beatrice, for once, turned to face me directly, her expression serious.

"The Eden Treaty signing ceremony… in essence, it’s a reenactment of the First Council. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?"

"I could never forget. The day those damned Trinities—who cast us out—were born."

"Quite so. At that time, Trinity was nothing more than a collection of schools, much like your Arius Branch. In other words, during the limited circumstances of the Eden Treaty signing ceremony, you too possess authority as part of Trinity. Do you understand?"

…Just as the Notes described.

The Arius Branch holds authority equivalent to that of Trinity.

"I understand the logic. But… how does that connect to us?"

"Patience. Don’t rush to the conclusion."

"My apologies."

"It’s fine. Now, as for the Eden Treaty ceremony itself—it’s the act of establishing binding regulations between Trinity and Gehenna under the Eden Treaty Organization. In other words, it creates commandments."

"I see…"

"Of course, that alone isn’t enough. But fortunately, we carry the bloodline of those who guard the commandments—the Royal Blood, do we not?"

…Royal Blood, huh.

So then, what am I, really?

"…Does that mean Atsuko Hakari is involved?"

"Exactly. With her blood, Maestro’s power can duplicate and mimic those commandments, allowing us to manifest the Justina Saint Council. If we offer the ‘Doctrine’ beneath the venue as a bargaining chip, we should be able to secure cooperation."

"……?"

"Ah, no need to understand everything just yet. In any case, destroying the Eden Treaty ceremony beforehand would only nullify its potential benefits."

"So, in short, we’re using the Eden Treaty to gain new power, correct?"

"Precisely. I do appreciate how quickly you adapt to things."

"…"

…As a pawn, right?
Looking down on people like they’re nothing.

She doesn’t see my sisters as anything but disposable tools to be used.

It makes me sick.

"I’ll explain the details later, but I’ll need to make several preparations myself this time. It may take a little while."

"I deeply apologize for the trouble, Madam."

"Think nothing of it. The outline is simple—once the Eden Treaty signing begins, launch cruise missiles to neutralize the forces of each school. Afterward, the wooden puppet known as Maestro will appear. Have it negotiate with Atsuko Hakari, manifest the Justina Saint Council, and then, as you’ve long desired, seize both Trinity and Gehenna."

…Says the one who only cares about securing their own power base.

"Ah, and one more thing—inform Saori Joumae of this. If this operation succeeds… Atsuko Hakari will be freed, and the others saved as well."

"……Are you certain? They’re among Arius’s strongest assets. Losing them would be a considerable setback."

"If we obtain the Justina Saint Council, we can secure as much power as we like. It’s no problem."

"…I see."

…Lies.

She knows. Even with the Justina Saint Council, it’s impossible to completely seize both Gehenna and Trinity. The numbers and strength are far too different.

She never intended to keep her promise to Saori and the others in the first place.

"That will be all for today. You may leave."

"……Understood. Excuse me."

After leaving the building, I returned to my room—well, the abandoned house I called one.

Closing the door behind me, I focused my mystic energy, sharpening my hearing to ensure no one was nearby.

“…Finally…!”

Finally, finally—! The pieces to kill Beatrice were finally falling into place!!!

“The Justina Saint Council…! The Royal Blood…!”

There was a high chance that I myself was a Royal Blood.
If that was the case, then I could make a deal with Maestro in place of Atsuko and activate the Commandment.
Even if not, Atsuko could do it—but that was hardly ideal. I didn’t want her making a pact with that eerie wooden doll who cared nothing for anyone.

And then, the Eden Treaty! If I added a clause stating that the one who holds authority over Gehenna or Trinity shall serve as an executor of the Eden Treaty Organization, then anyone—absolutely anyone—could make use of the Justina Saint Council!
Even if that executor was just one person… even if the designated target was a single individual… as long as it was written in, it would work!

On top of that, the Justina Saint Council was capable of understanding and acting upon abstract orders on its own!!

The airship!! The explosive-laden aircraft to be handed over to Hanuma Makoto!! It had enough destructive power to devastate the people of Kivotos!!

Two—two major weapons gained in a single day!!

And if I could preserve Hanuma Makoto’s consciousness and get her to sign the treaty… then a genuine, uncorrupted Eden Treaty would be formed!
Even if it were destroyed later, no one—not even Beatrice or the Sensei—would be able to twist it!!

Yes! In the original story, the Justina Saint Council had been forcibly stopped—but that was likely because it was an incomplete, unsigned, and distorted version from the start!
I won’t let Beatrice use the same method again!
Even the smallest improvement in the odds is worth taking!!

“Hah…! Hahaha…!!!”

Everything was coming together perfectly!! The cards, the weapons—to kill her!!

“Ahahahahaha!!!”

Just a little more! Just a little more!!

“Wait for it…!!”

Within the next few months, I’ll make sure of it!
I’ll kill you—tear you apart with my own hands!!

Justina Council of Saints

— An organization that upheld the precepts of the First Great Council.
— It is said they carried out brutal acts without hesitation, including torture and other inhumane practices.
— Possibly the ancestors of the Royal Bloodline (Atsuko in the original work; Atsuko and Suou in this derivative story)?
— The predecessor to the Sisterhood, though it no longer exists in the present era.

Maestro

— A member of the Gematria.
— Appears like a twin-headed wooden doll dressed in a tuxedo with a bowtie.
— Places great importance on art and aesthetics, interpreting mysticism in his own unique way.
— A troublesome being who can reproduce and replicate memories of the past—constantly creating more work for the Sensei.