Chapter 19

At Onsen-san,

"Otome Game World is a Radio Show Strict with the Main Character 1-6"

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Conference room.

Gathered there were the members of the Banfield family and Percy, the head of the Atalante development team dispatched from the Third Weapon Factory.

Both sides, separated by the table, were discussing the development of Atalante.

Klaus, who was participating as the head, narrowed his eyes slightly while looking at the documents.

Though his expression was not very expressive, he showed signs of discomfort.

"Shouldn't the Third Weapon Factory be responsible for the prototype experimental machine? Now, to suddenly demand joint development—no, in this case, investment from our family, is a breach of contract."

In addition to Klaus, the knight, the participating military personnel and bureaucrats also had stern expressions.

Percy had a complicated look on his face.

The main reason was not the waste of a large amount of modification costs, but something else.

It was the factional struggle within the Third Weapon Factory.

"There is a conflict of opinion among the upper echelons regarding the development of special units. The plan itself will continue, but the budget has been drastically cut. If this continues, it will effectively be the cancellation of the plan."

From Percy's perspective, involved in the development of Atalante, this situation was not what he wanted.

However, the Banfield family, asked to provide development funds, was not convinced.

The military officer, who held the rank of general, glared at Percy.

His gaze was directed at Emma, who had been invited to the meeting, once.

It was a look that seemed to say, "You're a useless knight who brings trouble."

"We also recognize the importance of special units. We have seen their performance on the battlefield many times. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be your product."

Another military officer spoke up.

"The military—Banfield's military—has a long-standing relationship with the Seventh Weapon Factory regarding special units. The lord often entrusts his beloved machine to them."

The close relationship between the Seventh Weapon Factory and the Banfield family is a well-known story in the empire.

Percy was aware of this, but there was a reason he could not back down.

"I understand. However, the Third Weapon Factory is also an important trading partner that supports the Banfield family's military, is it not?"

If the Seventh Weapon Factory excelled in the development of special units, the Third Weapon Factory's products supported the Banfield family's mass-produced units and the rest.

While the military officers had bitter expressions, Klaus, whose expression did not change, spoke up.

"This is a matter that we cannot decide. Moreover, the development plan for Atalante itself involves that person."

That person.

Upon hearing Klaus's words, the military officers each showed a reaction for a moment.

Some were surprised, some had bitter expressions, and some looked troubled.

Klaus folded his hands and told Percy to hold his response.

"We will confirm immediately. However, that person is also very busy. Can you wait for a response for a while?"

Percy bowed his head.

"I understand. I will explain to headquarters."

◇

After the meeting, Percy and the military officers left the room.

Only Klaus and Emma, who had been called, remained.

"Lieutenant Rodman, I want to hear your honest opinion."

"Yes, sir!"

As Emma tensed, Klaus let out a small breath.

"There's no need to be nervous. I just want to hear your personal opinion. Do you think—do you think Atalante, the unit, will really be completed?"

"Huh, well..."

While Emma, thinking it was a technical question, was considering how to answer, Klaus projected several screens around him.

The data of Atalante, developed by the Third Weapon Factory, was displayed.

"Atalante, developed by the Third Weapon Factory, is indeed high-performance. However, at this point, there are only a few pilots in the Banfield family, including you, who can handle it. Do you really think such a mobile knight will be completed?"

It has significant problems as a weapon.

Emma, looking down, asked.

"Even if it is completed, it won't have any meaning, right? So, you're saying it should be canceled?"

The reason for the suspension of the development of Atalante, which is a proof of her existence, is legitimate.

However, she cannot accept it personally.

To Emma, who had a complex state of mind, Klaus replied in a gentle tone.

"Considering the necessity is the responsibility of those above us. We should focus on fulfilling the tasks given to us."

Will a defective machine really be completed?

To this question, Emma answered.

"If that's the case, I will definitely complete it."

Seemingly understanding Emma's inner thoughts, Klaus erased all the images around him.

"I see."

◇

After dismissing Emma, Klaus was compiling a report on the matter.

While looking at the projected images in the air, he prepared the report.

Among the documents was the data of Emma, the test pilot.

Klaus, while looking at Emma's data, noticed an unnatural point.

"I had my suspicions, but your performance at the knight school was terrible."

A new knight given a B rank and a lieutenant position.

Despite being treated better than the elite knights, her assignment to a border security unit was concerning.

"That's why you have such a strong attachment to the prototype experimental machine."

Until she obtained Atalante, she had not made any significant achievements.

Moreover, as a knight, she was a failure.

Klaus understood the reason why Emma, who had finally obtained a chance to shine—Atalante, the mobile knight—was so fixated on it.

"I can only do this much."

Muttering to himself, Klaus prepared a different document.

It stated that he, Klaus, hoped for the continuation of the Atalante development plan.

◇

In the hangar.

In front of the restrained Atalante, Emma was floating, hugging her knees and hiding her face.

Next to her was Molly, who was desperately trying to comfort her.

"It can't be helped. Percy said it himself; it was supposed to explode. You don't need to worry about it, Emma."

They were originally planning to overload the machine to test if it would self-destruct.

However, Percy, based on the data from the battle, judged it to be dangerous and stopped Emma.

She did not listen to him.

"At that time—"

"Ah, stop being so gloomy! It's too gloomy! Worrying won't solve anything, so let's change our mood and go play."

Molly showed Emma a pamphlet—projecting images of the famous spots in the colony inside the asteroid Neia.

"I've been researching this place for a while. Since there's a weapon factory here, it's very different from other colonies! I'll show you around, so let's go play together."

"But—"

"Come on, come on! Besides, you haven't had a break since you came here, right? You need to take a vacation."

Forced by Molly, Emma went shopping.

◇

A few hours later.

Emma and Molly were excitedly looking at the products displayed in the shop windows.

Both of them had bright eyes and were speaking louder than usual.

"Isn't this amazing!? You don't get to see something like this often!!"

"It's so amazing, it's overwhelming! Oh, this one is good too~"

People walking around were looking at the two young girls with curious eyes.

It wasn't an unusual sight, but the problem was the products they were looking at.

Emma, while looking at the products, spoke quickly.

"The special version of the Avide, not made for the Banfield family, is a rare item. The Banfield family has garage kits of the Avide, but I've heard they are not seen elsewhere. Of course, it's only the Seventh Weapon Factory, which developed the Avide, that has them. Oh, I want to buy this and display it at home~"

On display was a model of the Avide, the mobile knight used by the lord of the Banfield family. However, it was not the Banfield family's version, and the color was a gray metallic tone.

Molly was wriggling next to her.

"The prototype feel is irresistible~. But, it's also very expensive~"

Both of them looked at the price and dropped their shoulders.

However, Emma raised her head.

"I'm buying it! I'll buy it, assemble it, and display it on the shelf at home! I'll put it next to the Banfield family's version of the Avide~"

Molly, looking at the excited Emma, tilted her head.

"Is there even a model of the Avide? I heard it's not only not released, but garage kits are also banned."

Emma put her hands on her hips and proudly explained how she obtained it.

"It was released for a short time. It was a phantom kit sold for only a few months."

Molly covered her mouth with both hands and envied Emma.

"That's great."

"I want to praise myself for that. After all, I spent all my savings to buy three of them."

"Emma, you're amazing!"

Praised by Molly, Emma entered the model shop and bought three Avide kits, then came out of the shop.

She looked happy, but her face was pale for some reason.

"Emma, what's wrong?"

"I bought three of them on a whim."

"Oh."

Now, Emma started to worry about how to manage this month's expenses.

While having this conversation in front of the shop, a beautiful woman approached them.

The woman, who looked slightly exasperated, was someone they had seen before, at the Raccoon.

"Making a commotion in front of the shop is bothersome."

Looking around, Emma saw many people staring at them and blushed.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize to me. However, I've seen you before. Wasn't it when you were visiting the Raccoon?"

The woman, slightly tilting her head and smiling, received a nod from Emma.

"Yes, that's right."

The woman, turning her back and walking away, waved and called out to them.

"Have a nice holiday."

Wakagi (#ﾟДﾟ) "【Otome Game World is a World Strict with the Mob 10th Volume】is now on sale! Be nicer to me! Praise me more!"

Wakagi (ﾟ∀ﾟ) "Avide is from the Seventh Factory, so there are model kits."

Clere (；○) "This plant is emotionally unstable."