Author: Himezaki Shiu	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The island nation of Caeruleus was located southeast of the continent. The country was primarily inhabited by mermaids and members of the Winged Tribe. The royal city, known as the Water City¹, was lined with waterways, where mermaids traveled through the water² while the Winged Tribe moved through the air.

A small number of other races navigated the city using gondolas as part of their daily lives. The royal castle was also built in harmony with the water, and its beauty was something that had to be seen at least once.

Inside a room of the royal castle, the King of the Fishmen Tribe sat across a desk from his right-hand man, the Prime Minister of the Winged Tribe. The atmosphere between them was tense.

“Fraus has the upper hand in its war against the Nigel Kingdom.”
“When it comes to the military, Nigel Kingdom has the upper hand, but there are the Heroes.”
“You are correct. What would you like us to do?”

When the Prime Minister asked this, the King let out a deep groan. “Hm…” If the battle continued as it was, Fraus was almost certain to win. What would happen then?

The King already knew the answer, but he sought confirmation from the Prime Minister.

“The Fraus Kingdom. They’re described as moderate, but deep down, they seem to be quite the ambitious bunch, don’t they?”
“It is as you say.”
“Then there is a possibility that after defeating the Nigel Kingdom, they will try to unify the continent.”
“Then should we attack Fraus?”

“If that were possible, we wouldn’t be pondering right now. If we make an enemy of Fraus, Aquilus will try to mess with us. Moreover, thanks to its heroes, Fraus has managed to keep most of its military strength within its borders. Isn’t that so?”
“It is as you say. It will almost certainly turn into a battle between us and the allied forces of Aquilus and Fraus. It would be ideal if we could strike before Aquilus enters the war, but that’s not going to happen.”

The King stared at the Prime Minister, who responded with an indifferent expression, as if entirely unimpressed. It wasn’t out of dislike—on the contrary, they were easygoing friends, which was precisely why he could speak to the King that way.

Up until now, they were just confirming facts, which meant that from now on, they’d be getting into the main topics.

“If that’s the case, we have no choice but to be prepared for any eventuality.”
“Then…”
“Let’s show them the true hero summoning ritual³. Not the one altered by Fraus. Begin the preparations.”
“Roger!”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the King’s order and hurried out of the room.

◆◆◆◆◆

It was created with a foreign object at its core—born already aware of the reason for its existence. It also understood that it had been given a different mission than those who had come before it.

But it didn’t matter. It had the power to carry out its mission. It could fulfill it. Its creator had bestowed upon it the power to triumph over everything, to accomplish its mission, even at the cost of its lifespan.

At that moment, it obliterated the wooden figure standing before it⁴.

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Footnotes:

Silva: quite literal, the name
Robinxen: Reminds me of that one city in ReZero now… I forgot the name because it has been so long since I read it. Actually just typing this out made me realise that the anime literally just adapted that arc in the most recent season didn’t it?
Robinxen: And let me guess, their spirit is going to foot the bill? Did god not patch this summoning system yet?
Silva: well, that’s a mighty short chapter