New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Interlude 1: Eiru’s Resolve

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(POV switch: Eiru)

However…

“What, I wonder, might Oba-sama’s thoughts be?” (Eiru)

“Oba-sama, you say?” (Bona)

Ah. It seems I had spoken aloud inadvertently.

Bona, my attendant reflected in the mirror, wore an expression of perplexity. Although she was assisting me with my dress after my preparations, it appeared she had thought my soliloquy was directed at her.

“Yes, I refer to Henrietta Oba-sama, who has graciously invited us to the opera we are about to attend.” (Eiru)

“The Maiden of Orcus” is a masterpiece, yet precisely because of that, there is a sense of familiarity and perhaps indifference. Moreover, today is not a mere lecture, it is a special performance designed to celebrate the Countess’s birthday.

I found myself pondering what she might think regarding the performance.

“Ah, it is the matriarch of the Liones Trading Company, is it not?” (Bona)

“Matriarch?” (Eiru)

“That is what people in town call her. It is widely believed that she essentially controls the Liones Trading Company.” (Bona)

“My, my.” (Eiru)

That is not entirely true.

From what I heard from Otou-sama, the proportion of total sales accounted for by the clothing and precious metals divisions of the Liones Trading Company does not exceed three-tenths. Nevertheless, because she has considerable influence over the Countess and the surrounding nobles, the impression is one of substantial opulence. It is thus unsurprising that others perceive her in such a manner.

“Indeed, even with a son as grown as Conan-dono, her visage remains unchanged. If anything, she has grown more alluring than before. She is universally regarded as enigmatic. I, for my part, harbor no such thoughts, being a relative of that household. Truly, those who speak thus are merely envious souls.” (Bona)

“Fufufu.” (Eiru)

“Ojou-sama?” (Bona)

Bona is of a similar age to Oba-sama and, naturally, cannot help but feel envy toward her beauty.

“Be that as it may, might this corset be tightened just a little more?” (Eiru)

Around the waist, one or two centimeters of additional tapering would improve the silhouette.

“It is no longer possible. The right and left panels meet at the center. Though Ojou-sama is merely 14, so perhaps such refinement is not strictly necessary.” (Bona)

“Oh, you mean I should wait until my bust has grown?” (Eiru)

“No, no, that is not what I mean…” (Bona)

“Very well, then, just as much as can be managed shall suffice.” (Eiru)

Indeed, as Bona remarked, I found myself rather impatient of late.

“Now, is it comfortable enough?” (Bona)

“Yes, entirely so.” (Eiru)

“Um…” (Bona)

“What is it?” (Eiru)

“I am not fond of opera. I shall accompany you to the theater, but…” (Bona)

“You may wait in the anteroom. I shall watch with Oba-sama.” (Eiru)

“Yes.” (Bona)

Bona nodded happily.

 

—

 

“Ah, my apologies.” (Coachman)

The carriage proceeding toward the theater slowed gradually, and the coachman glanced back. We had not yet reached the porch of the theater.

“That carriage belongs to the Count’s household.” (Coachman)

I understood immediately. A commoner approaching that carriage too closely would be deemed insolent. His words were wise.

“This shall suffice.” (Eiru)

“Indeed.” (Coachman)

We alighted and proceeded on foot toward the theater. I spotted them. The Countess conversed amiably with Oba-sama.

Eh? Why is he here?

Once the Countess’s party departed, I approached.

“Oba-sama, I thank you most sincerely for your kind invitation on this occasion.” (Eiru)

“Eiru-san, greetings.” (Henreitta)

“Greetings. Ah, Leon-chan, greetings as well.” (Eiru)

It seemed she had just noticed me.

“Greetings.” (Leon)

“To think that you would come to the theater, given your apparent lack of interest in opera, I am surprised.” (Henrietta)

“Indeed.” (Leon)

Huh? What is she saying? Could it be that Oba-sama had compelled him to accompany us?

“Ojou-sama, I shall wait here.” (Bona)

She nodded and departed happily. That worked out favorably.

We entered the grand hall of the theater, following Oba-sama, and took seats on the right side.

Ah, the seat is beside Leon-chan. Eh? He appears to be frowning. Perhaps he seems slightly inconvenienced; am I imagining it?

It seemed that Leon-chan knew nothing of opera, so I resolved to explain quietly.

 

—

 

What I saw was truly incredible.

It was “The Maiden of Orcus,” a performance I had seen several times even in this theater. I had believed I could instruct Leon-chan on the plot while watching with ease. However, moments after the curtain rose, such thoughts vanished entirely from my mind. It was extraordinary.

As expected from the troupe led by Master Valdos, both the singing and the direction were impeccable. Yet the stage itself overshadowed even that. To utilize the magical spotlight in such a manner… To convey the passage of time without props, without any explanation, and even to render the sensation of formless flames… To express emotion using red and blue light alone.

It was innovation. And I had witnessed it firsthand. That such a spectacle had been prepared by Oba-sama herself. I was astonished. Indeed, Oba-sama possesses a distinct eye and exquisite taste. Nevertheless, she surely did not craft the magical apparatus herself.

Then, who had?

“Very well, Eiru. Leon-chan and I shall be sent back by carriage.” (Leon)

“Eiru-san, nice to meet you.” (Eleanor)

Leon-chan and Eleanore-san would not proceed to the castle with Oba-sama. They would return as they were.

“Wait a moment, Leon-chan.” (Eiru)

“Hm?” (Leon)

“Shortly after the performance began–…” (Eiru)

“Ah.” (Leon)

“You remarked, ‘I wondered where it had been delivered, and it was here all along,’ did you not?” (Eiru)

His brows rose briefly and then fell.

“Ah, I cannot recall. Perhaps Eiru misheard something?” (Leon)

“Ah, that may be so.” (Eiru)

“Very well, then.” (Leon)

“Very well.” (Eiru)

Was he not stiff at that moment?

Once I had seen them off, his contrived expression vanished.

Truly, how vexing. In a few days, he would depart for the royal capital, yet he had offered me no greeting. Evidently, I exist not in his consideration. And yet, the peculiar habit of his brows… he remains so poor at deceit.

I had realized with certainty: those spotlights, though perhaps not all, had been his creation.

“Ojousama, what do you see?” (Bona)

“Oh, nothing in particular.” (Eiru)

Before me was a wall adorned with an advertisement for a certain organization. I was merely lost in thought and had not been studying it. Moreover, I had seen this advertisement before. Yet, upon Bona’s remark, I scrutinized it anew.

This is–… Yes, it is.

“September 12^th… yes, there is still time.” (Eiru)

“Eh?” (Bona)

“Bona, you said you would follow me wherever I went, did you not?” (Eiru)

“I did say so, but…” (Bona)

“Fufufu. We may be venturing to a somewhat distant location.” (Eiru)

 

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